Live radio interview on WSTX Radio (970 am) - Wednesday, December 15, 2010 @ 9:15 am with Olaf "Bronco" Hendricks, M.D.
Live radio interview on WSTX Radio (970am) - Thursday, December 16, 2010 @ 1:15 pm with Senator Holland "Dyke" Redfield
Live radio interview on WSTX Radio (970am) - Friday, December 17, 2010 at 9:15 am with Eugene Petersen, D.V.M. & Lawrence O. Benjamin, D.Ed.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Season's Greetings
Season's Greetings from the
National Medical Association
Happy Holidays!
On behalf of the NMA Board of Trustees and your national office staff, we wish you and yours all the pleasures of the holidays-filled with warmth and blessed by peace.
I hope each of you will take time during this season to remember the reason, reflect on this wondrous year and the great year 2011 promises to become. This year was filled with milestones, including the passage and signing into law, the Affordable Health Care Act, Health Information Technology adoption,which is a key priority for the NMA given its potential to improve care coordination, reduce errors, health outcomes, and the recent "doctor fix" in Medicare payments.
I encourage you to spend your holidays enjoying he company of family and friends reverencing the past, appreciating the present and planning for an exciting new year. In addition we should heed the words of Dr. Lee Beers "as professionals who advocate for healthy individuals and families. We must model healthy behaviors in our own lives through care and attention to ourselves and our families/ friends balanced against the care and attention we give to our patients."
Please remember to send greetings to our national office staff. Without their support, NMA would not be able to continue its day to day operations and serve you, our valued member.
In the spirit of the founders who created this great organization over 100 years ago, NMA needs you and thanks you. NMA is you.
Together we can make it better
Yours in the NMA,
Leonard Weather, Jr., R.Ph., M.D.
President
National Medical Association
Happy Holidays!
On behalf of the NMA Board of Trustees and your national office staff, we wish you and yours all the pleasures of the holidays-filled with warmth and blessed by peace.
I hope each of you will take time during this season to remember the reason, reflect on this wondrous year and the great year 2011 promises to become. This year was filled with milestones, including the passage and signing into law, the Affordable Health Care Act, Health Information Technology adoption,which is a key priority for the NMA given its potential to improve care coordination, reduce errors, health outcomes, and the recent "doctor fix" in Medicare payments.
I encourage you to spend your holidays enjoying he company of family and friends reverencing the past, appreciating the present and planning for an exciting new year. In addition we should heed the words of Dr. Lee Beers "as professionals who advocate for healthy individuals and families. We must model healthy behaviors in our own lives through care and attention to ourselves and our families/ friends balanced against the care and attention we give to our patients."
Please remember to send greetings to our national office staff. Without their support, NMA would not be able to continue its day to day operations and serve you, our valued member.
In the spirit of the founders who created this great organization over 100 years ago, NMA needs you and thanks you. NMA is you.
Together we can make it better
Yours in the NMA,
Leonard Weather, Jr., R.Ph., M.D.
President
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Program for December 18 & 19, 2010 - Whim Museum Concert
Program for December 18 & 19, 2010 - Whim Museum Concert
A Concert of Sacred Christmas Music for the Soul
1. Welcome & Introduction......................................................Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Sr., Master of Ceremonies
2. Ave Maria..................................................................................Bach-Gounod
Professor Austin A. Venzen, Flute
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
3. Sweet Little Jesus Boy...........................................................Robert MacGimsey
Melita S. Etienne, Mezzo-Soprano
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
4. Birthday of a King...................................................................William Harold Neidlinger
Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Baritone
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
5. Cantata #149..........................................................................Johann Sebastian Bach
Professor Austin A. Venzen, Flute
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
6. Ave Maria................................................................................Franz Schubert
Melita S. Etienne, Mezzo-Soprano
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
7. Prelude & Fugue #21 in B-flat major (3 voices).................................Johann Sebastian Bach
from Das Wohltemperierte Klavier- Volume I
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
8. Prelude & Fugue #22 in b-flat minor (5 voices)................................Johann Sebastian Bach
Adele D. Allen, M. D., Piano
9. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.................................................................Johann Sebastian Bach
Professor Austin A. Venzen, Flute
Adele D. Allen, M. D., Piano
10. O Holy Night................................................................................Adams
Professor Austin A. Venzen, Flute
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
INTERMISSION
Selections from The Messiah (A Sacred Oratorio) by George F. Handel (1741)
1."Thus saith the Lord" (Recitative).................................Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Baritone
2."But who may abide the day of His coming?"...........Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Baritone
3. Pastoral Symphony..........................Professor Venzen (Flute) & Dr. Allen (Piano)
4."He shall feed His flock" (Air)...........Miss Etienne, Mezzo-Soprano, Professor Venzen, Flute & Dr. Allen, Piano
5. "Hallelujah!" (Chorus).........................................................George F. Handel
Miss Melita Etienne, Soprano
Dr. Adele Allen, Alto & Piano
Professor Austin A. Venzen, Tenor
Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Baritone
6. Closing Remarks................................................................Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Master of Ceremonies
A Concert of Sacred Christmas Music for the Soul
1. Welcome & Introduction......................................................Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Sr., Master of Ceremonies
2. Ave Maria..................................................................................Bach-Gounod
Professor Austin A. Venzen, Flute
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
3. Sweet Little Jesus Boy...........................................................Robert MacGimsey
Melita S. Etienne, Mezzo-Soprano
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
4. Birthday of a King...................................................................William Harold Neidlinger
Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Baritone
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
5. Cantata #149..........................................................................Johann Sebastian Bach
Professor Austin A. Venzen, Flute
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
6. Ave Maria................................................................................Franz Schubert
Melita S. Etienne, Mezzo-Soprano
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
7. Prelude & Fugue #21 in B-flat major (3 voices).................................Johann Sebastian Bach
from Das Wohltemperierte Klavier- Volume I
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
8. Prelude & Fugue #22 in b-flat minor (5 voices)................................Johann Sebastian Bach
Adele D. Allen, M. D., Piano
9. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.................................................................Johann Sebastian Bach
Professor Austin A. Venzen, Flute
Adele D. Allen, M. D., Piano
10. O Holy Night................................................................................Adams
Professor Austin A. Venzen, Flute
Adele D. Allen, M.D., Piano
INTERMISSION
Selections from The Messiah (A Sacred Oratorio) by George F. Handel (1741)
1."Thus saith the Lord" (Recitative).................................Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Baritone
2."But who may abide the day of His coming?"...........Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Baritone
3. Pastoral Symphony..........................Professor Venzen (Flute) & Dr. Allen (Piano)
4."He shall feed His flock" (Air)...........Miss Etienne, Mezzo-Soprano, Professor Venzen, Flute & Dr. Allen, Piano
5. "Hallelujah!" (Chorus).........................................................George F. Handel
Miss Melita Etienne, Soprano
Dr. Adele Allen, Alto & Piano
Professor Austin A. Venzen, Tenor
Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Baritone
6. Closing Remarks................................................................Dr. Lawrence O. Benjamin, Master of Ceremonies
Monday, December 13, 2010
Happy Holiday
Happy Holidays!
Happy holidays from the Wellesley College Alumnae Association!
Click here to view a holiday message.
http://www.wellesley.edu/Alum/HolidayCard/index.html
Happy holidays from the Wellesley College Alumnae Association!
Click here to view a holiday message.
http://www.wellesley.edu/Alum/HolidayCard/index.html
Concert
Adele D. Allen, M.D., has been a pianist since the age of five. She is the Founder, Director, Accompanist for the Crucian Community Choir which she organized on October 31, 1989 in her home in St. Croix. She served as Organist for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for five years in the 1990s. In St. Croix, she has been a member of Lord God of Sabaoth Lutheran Church where she served on the Church Council from 2002-2004. As an educator at John H. Woodson J.H.S. for seven years, she directed the middle school chorus and worked as a music educator. In addition, she frequently accompanied the Central High School Choir when they performed in the Territory and when they competed and won national prizes for choral competitions in Atlanta, Ga. in the late 1990s. Dr. Allen also served as Adjunct Professor of Nursing at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix campus for three years in the 1990s.
Dr. Allen was elected by the people of St. Croix and served for four years as a member of the V.I. Board of Elections. She served as Vice-President of the STX Board of Elections and Secretary of the Territorial Board of Elections during her tenure. In addition, she was elected President of the St. Croix American Cancer Society, the St. Croix Unit of the League of Women Voters and Vice-President of United Way of St. Croix. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Island Center for the Performing Arts during the construction of the Sidney Lee Performing Arts Center. She has been a judge for the Hal Jackson Talented Teen Competition, and an accompanist for the VITELCO Arts Alive Music Competition in St. Thomas for students from the St. Croix schools. Dr. Allen was a member of the Rotary Club of St. Croix from 1990 until 2004.
A graduate of Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts (B.A.), the Institute of Human Nutrition of Columbia University's College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City (M.S.) and the American University of the Caribbean in Plymouth, Montserrat (M.D.), Dr. Allen studied music with Mr. Ira Pendler, Dr. David LeVita and Miss Phyllis Moss throughout her formative years. She is a former winner of the Omega Psi Phi Talent Competition during her high school years, and the National Association of Negro Musicians' (Mu Te Or chapter, Brooklyn, NY) talent competition.
Recently she accompanied the Imani Singers of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York during the retirement commencement ceremonies for Dr. Edison T. Jackson, former President of CUNY-Medgar Evers.
Her most recent recital was presented at Tillett Gardens for the Arts Alive Concert Series on November 10, 2010 with Mr. Steve Wallace, tenor from NYC. Dr. Allen has been selected as the organist for the Inaugural Mass for Governor John DeJongh on January 3, 2011 at Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral in Charlotte Amalie. Her DVD and CD releases are "Out of the Black Experience" from 2009 and "LIVE from St. Thomas: A Musical Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.-2010". Both are available from her website www.adelesworldofmusic.com
Dr. Allen was elected by the people of St. Croix and served for four years as a member of the V.I. Board of Elections. She served as Vice-President of the STX Board of Elections and Secretary of the Territorial Board of Elections during her tenure. In addition, she was elected President of the St. Croix American Cancer Society, the St. Croix Unit of the League of Women Voters and Vice-President of United Way of St. Croix. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Island Center for the Performing Arts during the construction of the Sidney Lee Performing Arts Center. She has been a judge for the Hal Jackson Talented Teen Competition, and an accompanist for the VITELCO Arts Alive Music Competition in St. Thomas for students from the St. Croix schools. Dr. Allen was a member of the Rotary Club of St. Croix from 1990 until 2004.
A graduate of Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts (B.A.), the Institute of Human Nutrition of Columbia University's College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City (M.S.) and the American University of the Caribbean in Plymouth, Montserrat (M.D.), Dr. Allen studied music with Mr. Ira Pendler, Dr. David LeVita and Miss Phyllis Moss throughout her formative years. She is a former winner of the Omega Psi Phi Talent Competition during her high school years, and the National Association of Negro Musicians' (Mu Te Or chapter, Brooklyn, NY) talent competition.
Recently she accompanied the Imani Singers of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York during the retirement commencement ceremonies for Dr. Edison T. Jackson, former President of CUNY-Medgar Evers.
Her most recent recital was presented at Tillett Gardens for the Arts Alive Concert Series on November 10, 2010 with Mr. Steve Wallace, tenor from NYC. Dr. Allen has been selected as the organist for the Inaugural Mass for Governor John DeJongh on January 3, 2011 at Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral in Charlotte Amalie. Her DVD and CD releases are "Out of the Black Experience" from 2009 and "LIVE from St. Thomas: A Musical Tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.-2010". Both are available from her website www.adelesworldofmusic.com
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Christmas Concert at Whim Museum with Dr. Adele Allen & Friends"
Saturday, December 18 @ 7:30 pm AND Sunday, December 19 @ 4 pm - "Christmas Concert at Whim Museum with Dr. Adele Allen & Friends" sponsored by St. Croix Landmarks Society. The performers (for your information) are Miss Melita Etienne, Mezzo-Soprano, Dr. Lawrence Benjamin, Baritone, Mr. Rivert Diaz, Tenor, Professor Austin A. Venzen of UVI on Flute and Adele D. Allen, M.D. on piano in the Greathouse of the Whim Plantation Museum in a recital of classical Christmas music.
Tickets will be $35.
I believe and $30. for members.
Tickets will be $35.
I believe and $30. for members.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Alumni Events in November
Online Chat with President Bollinger
career and networking
Join the Alumni Representative Committee
Webinar: Use Social Media in Your Job Search
IvyLife
Columbia
IvyLife Network
Columbia Club of New York
celebrations and the arts
Center for Jazz Studies Benefit at Armani
Café Humanities
CAAL Night: The Pitmen Painters
CAAL Night: Edward Hopper Studio Tour
CAAL Night: New York Philharmonic
CAAL Night: Don Carlo
Café Arts
learning and more
Ideas on Campus
Sustainability Executive Education
Heyman Center for the Humanities
Meeting American Islam with Dr. Hussein Rashid
Business School Annual Healthcare Conference
CAA Writers’ Forum
Café Science
Studio-X Global Network Initiative
Meet Author Fredrik Stanton
Explore New York’s Sustainable Food Journey
Café Social Science
Volunteer for a Fitness Study
Participate in a Learning Lab Study
Visit the Columbia Alumni Center
save the date
Art Basel Miami Beach, The Kyriakos Tsakopoulos Lecture,
CAA Recent Alumni Holiday Party and Toy Drive, GSAS Annual Meeting
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Online Chat with President Bollinger
Online Chat with
President Bollinger: Columbia Beyond 2010
Be a part of the Livestream conversation between President Lee C. Bollinger and J-School dean of Student Affairs Sree Sreenivasan. Click here to submit your questions and learn more.
Thursday, November 18
11 a.m.–noon
Online
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
career and networking
CC and SEAS Alumni: Join the Alumni Representative Committee (ARC)
Want to learn more about being a member of the ARC? Attend this on-campus training session with representatives from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, as well as current and prospective ARC members. More
Monday, November 8
6–8 p.m.
Faculty Room
Low Library
Morningside campus
Get Ahead: Using Social Media in Your Job Search
Maximize the benefits of social networks like LinkedIn and Twitter to get hired. More
Thursday, November 18
1–2 p.m.
Webinar
(via Internet and phone)
IvyLife
Columbia
Transform your professional life: connect with IvyLife
Columbia on LinkedIn and in person at breakfasts, after-work functions, and other Columbia-focused networking events. Questions? E-mail William@caa.columbia.edu.
IvyLife Network
Want to cast a wider net? Register for an IvyLife networking program or join the All-Ivy LinkedIn group. Questions? E-mail jp@ivylife.net.
Alumni Events at the
Columbia Club of
New York
Connect over cocktails, explore a historic cemetery, or visit the Museo del Barrio. Check out local November alumni events hosted by the New York club. More
November Events
Columbia University Club of New York
15 West 43rd Street
Not a CUCNY member?
Join today!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
celebrations and the arts
Center for Jazz Studies Night at Armani
You are invited to a private reception supporting Columbia’s renowned Center for Jazz Studies. Enjoy cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a 20 percent discount on all merchandise, and a performance by students in CU’s jazz performance program. More
Tuesday, November 9
7:30–9:30 p.m.
Armani / 5th Avenue
717 Fifth Avenue
Café Humanities: The Great American University
With Professor Jonathan R. Cole ’64 ’69GSAS. More
Monday, November 15
6–7 p.m.
PicNic Market & Cafe
2665 Broadway
CAAL Night: The Pitmen Painters
Hailed during its London run as a “glorious instant classic” (Evening Standard), and “a superb piece of work” (The Daily Telegraph), The Pitmen Painters tells the heartfelt and humorous story of a group of English miners in 1934 and their evening art appreciation classes. More
Tuesday, November 16
7 p.m. Curtain
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
261 West 47th Street
Not a member? Join CAAL today.
CAAL Night: Edward Hopper Studio Tour
Normally closed to the public, NYU has granted CAAL members special access to the studio where Edward Hopper lived and worked from 1939 to 1965. The tour will be led by Mark Callahan, Associate Dean for Administration and Finance for the School of Social Work, and informal conservator of the space. More
Monday, November 22
6 p.m.
Edward Hopper Studio
3 Washington Square North
Not a member? Join CAAL today.
CAAL Night: Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and Stravinsky’s Firebird
Join fellow CAAL members for this spectacular program with the New York Philharmonic. The program features Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila (Glinka), Violin Concerto (Tchaikovsky), Nocturnes (Debussy), and Suite from The Firebird (Stravinsky). More
Friday, November 26
8 p.m.
Avery Fisher Hall
10 Lincoln Center Plaza
Not a member? Join CAAL today.
CAAL Night: Don Carlo
Don Carlo director Nicholas Hytner thinks it’s “the quintessential Verdi opera.” Hytner makes his Met debut with this new production, fresh from its successful London run. Enjoy this gloriously ambitious opera with fellow CAAL members. More
Monday, November 29
8 p.m.
The Metropolitan Opera
Lincoln Center
Not a member? Join CAAL today.
Café Arts: Arthur Koestler’s Darkness at Noon and Its Relevance Today
With biographer Michael Scammell ’06SOA. More
Monday, December 6
6–7 p.m.
PicNic Market & Cafe
2665 Broadway
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learning and more
Ideas on Campus: A Conversation with
Eric Kandel
Have neuroscience on the brain? Columbia professor and Nobel laureate Dr. Eric Kandel co-hosts the monthly Charlie Rose Brain Series on PBS. More
Online
Center for Environmental Research and Conservation
Join CERC’s evening program in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability—pursue a certificate or take individual courses. More
Fall 2010
Morningside campus
Heyman Center for the Humanities
Sharpen your mind: Debate topics from Euripides to the financial crisis with the world’s top scholars. More
Dates in November
Morningside campus
Meeting American Islam: 500 Years of History, Art, and Culture
Join us at CUCNY for a conversation with Professor of Religious Studies, Dr. Hussein Rashid. More
Thursday, November 4
6:30 p.m.
Columbia University Club of New York
15 West 43rd Street
7th Annual Healthcare Conference
Join alumni, students, and healthcare experts for a conference about how best to address issues of cost, access, and quality in the global healthcare ecosystem. More
Friday, November 5
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
New York Marriott Marquis
1535 Broadway
CAA Writers’ Forum Series: Fiction
Columbia writers: share your works in progress, receive constructive feedback, and network in a supportive, seminar-style environment. More
Saturday, November 6
10:15 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Columbia Alumni Center
622 West 113th Street
Café Science: Sorcery to Surgery
Hollywood Movie Software That Can Save Lives
With computational mathemagician Eitan Grinspun. More
Monday, November 8
6–7 p.m.
PicNic Market & Cafe
2665 Broadway
Studio-X
GSAPP and Lapham’s Quarterly Present an Evening
About Cities
Join GSAPP dean Mark Wigley, editor Lewis Lapham, Radiolab host Robert Krulwich, historian Andrew Dolkart, and architect Jeffrey Inaba for a conversation about the past and future of cities. More
Tuesday, November 9
6:30–9 p.m.
92Y Tribeca
200 Hudson Street
Great Negotiations: Agreements that Changed the Modern World
Author Fredrik Stanton ’96CC will discuss his history of the great negotiations that changed the world. More
Tuesday, November 9
6:30 p.m.
Columbia University Club of New York
15 West 43rd Street
Making Green from Green: From Vertical Farm to Urban Table
The Columbia Sustainable Business Committee continues their “Making Green from Green” event series. More
Thursday, November 18
5:30–9 p.m.
Citi, ICG Conference Center
388 Greenwich Street
Café Social Science: Game Theory and Strategic Communication
With economist Navin Kartik. More
Monday, November 22
6–7 p.m.
PicNic Market & Cafe
2665 Broadway
Fitness Studies at Columbia University Medical Center
Make a buck and help Columbia make science history! Healthy adults between 60 and 75 can help by playing a scientifically based video game, exercising, and taking a cognitive performance test. Call 212-851-5590 for details.
Participate in a Study at the Learning Lab
Press the frontiers of science! Participate in the Learning Laboratory’s latest study of learning, memory, and decision making in adults 50 to 85. More
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit the Columbia Alumni Center
Now that fall is in the air, take time to stop by the Alumni Center for a warming cup of tea or coffee and check out the new exhibit “Lion Tracks: Sources of Athletics Tradition.” More
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
save the date
Art Basel Miami Beach
Travelling to Miami for Art Basel? Party with fellow alumni and support Columbia in the arts! More
Saturday, December 4
Miami Beach, FL
The Kyriakos Tsakopoulos Lecture on Aristotle and the Moderns
On the Quality of Life: The Ancients Teaching
the Moderns More
Thursday, December 9
New York City
CAA Recent Alumni Holiday Party and Toy Drive More
Friday, December 10
New York City
GSAS Annual Meeting
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Columbians Celebrate Around the World
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for making the Fourth Annual Worldwide Networking Event
our biggest one yet!
This fall over 2,500 alumni celebrated the Columbia University global alumni community by taking part in happy hours, receptions, walking tours,
and faculty lectures in 69 cities around the world.
Check out the 90+ photos of your friends and classmates from the Worldwide Networking Events on the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) Facebook page.
We look forward to seeing you soon on campus, at the Columbia Alumni Center,
online via the Alumni Directory, or at a regional club event near you!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congratulations CU Club of Israel!
Winner of the “Most School Spirit” group photo contest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For information about the CAA and other alumni benefits,
visit the Columbia Alumni Association Web site at
alumni.columbia.edu.
This message was sent to e-mail address dradeleallen@yahoo.com.
Office of Alumni and Development
622 West 113th Street
MC 4525
New York, NY 10025
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you for making the Fourth Annual Worldwide Networking Event
our biggest one yet!
This fall over 2,500 alumni celebrated the Columbia University global alumni community by taking part in happy hours, receptions, walking tours,
and faculty lectures in 69 cities around the world.
Check out the 90+ photos of your friends and classmates from the Worldwide Networking Events on the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) Facebook page.
We look forward to seeing you soon on campus, at the Columbia Alumni Center,
online via the Alumni Directory, or at a regional club event near you!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congratulations CU Club of Israel!
Winner of the “Most School Spirit” group photo contest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For information about the CAA and other alumni benefits,
visit the Columbia Alumni Association Web site at
alumni.columbia.edu.
This message was sent to e-mail address dradeleallen@yahoo.com.
Office of Alumni and Development
622 West 113th Street
MC 4525
New York, NY 10025
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
COLUMBIA ALLUMNI ASSOCIATION
Black Alumni Council of Columbia University
Homecoming 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Celebration of Culture
The Columbia Alumni Association and the Black Alumni Council of Columbia University cordially invite all Columbia University alumni, family, and friends to the 2010 Black Alumni Homecoming—a celebration of culture and achievements by black alumni at Columbia.
Our special guest is
Michele Moody-Adams,
dean of Columbia College, vice president for Undergraduate Education, Henry L. and Lucy G. Moses Professor, and Joseph Straus Professor of Political Philosophy and Legal Theory in Columbia’s Philosophy Department.
RSVP today and receive Brooks Brothers gift card!
Alumni and guests Registration
CU Student Registration
Registration will close
at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 21.
Please note: due to Columbia’s alcohol policy, only students 21 and over may attend.
Saturday, October 23
7:30–10:30 p.m.
Providence
311 West 57th Street
New York
Price:
$15 students ($30 at the door)
$30 BAC members
$40 alumni and guests
$50 at the door
Price includes a THREE-HOUR PREMIUM OPEN BAR, buffet dinner, music, and dancing—an $85 value!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions?
For more information about this event, please contact us at
alumni-events@columbia.edu.
For more information about the BAC and how to become a member, please contact bac@columbia.edu.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit the Black Alumni Council Web site at
columbiabac.org.
Visit the Columbia Alumni Association Web site at
alumni.columbia.edu.
Homecoming 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Celebration of Culture
The Columbia Alumni Association and the Black Alumni Council of Columbia University cordially invite all Columbia University alumni, family, and friends to the 2010 Black Alumni Homecoming—a celebration of culture and achievements by black alumni at Columbia.
Our special guest is
Michele Moody-Adams,
dean of Columbia College, vice president for Undergraduate Education, Henry L. and Lucy G. Moses Professor, and Joseph Straus Professor of Political Philosophy and Legal Theory in Columbia’s Philosophy Department.
RSVP today and receive Brooks Brothers gift card!
Alumni and guests Registration
CU Student Registration
Registration will close
at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 21.
Please note: due to Columbia’s alcohol policy, only students 21 and over may attend.
Saturday, October 23
7:30–10:30 p.m.
Providence
311 West 57th Street
New York
Price:
$15 students ($30 at the door)
$30 BAC members
$40 alumni and guests
$50 at the door
Price includes a THREE-HOUR PREMIUM OPEN BAR, buffet dinner, music, and dancing—an $85 value!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Questions?
For more information about this event, please contact us at
alumni-events@columbia.edu.
For more information about the BAC and how to become a member, please contact bac@columbia.edu.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit the Black Alumni Council Web site at
columbiabac.org.
Visit the Columbia Alumni Association Web site at
alumni.columbia.edu.
NATIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
Home
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Join NMA
Contact
Practice Management News
Bayer's A1CNow+® provides you with a fast and easy way of obtaining accurate A1C results in your office in 5 minutes. This enables you to communicate face-to-face with your patients about their diabetes control. The American Diabetes Association recommends people with diabetes have an A1C level of less than 7%.
2010 NMA Scientific Assembly Certificates of Credit Available Online
Registered attendees to the 2010 Scientific Assembly in Orlando, Florida may claim their CME certificates of credit online. Attendees may claim credit for the 2010 Scientific Assembly via the website for up to 180 days post activity.
All AMA PRA Category 1 credit hours will be awarded to the registrant based on:
Educational activity attendance
Completion of the online or “on-site” activity credit form
Completed evaluations
For additional information or clarification please contact the CME Office at: cme@nmanet.org
To obtain credit and complete the activity evaluations please:
Click Here
NMA News
NMA Launches Asthma and Allergy Rescue Project
The National Medical Association (NMA) has a new twelve month initiative with the Academy for Educational Development (AED) and a partnership with the National Asthma Control Initiative (NACI) to promote important messages around asthma control.
New information continues to suggest that asthma has the most devastating effect on African Americans. Asthma particularly impacts the health of African American women. In general literature, no real explanation has been given on why African American women with asthma have such poor outcomes. However, investigations published in the September 2008 issue of the Journal of the National Medical Association (Volume 100, No. 9), entitled, “A New Focus on Assessing and Treating Asthma Control in the African-American Community: A Call to Action" suggest that the effect is not genetic or environmental but more situational. Often African American women are responsible for the health of the whole family and neglect to take steps to help themselves. The Clear the Air Project while focusing on the six Guidelines Implementation Panel (GIP) messages will also strive to improve information dissemination and outcomes for African American women with asthma.
The NMA Asthma and Allergy Rescue Project encourages NMA physicians to discuss with their female asthmatic patients about the importance of taking care of themselves and utilizing an Asthma Action Plan.
To learn more about the NMA Asthma and Allergy Rescue Project
2011 Scientific Assembly Call for Abstracts
The National Medical Association is currently accepting abstract submissions for its Annual Scientific Assembly in Washington, DC, July 23 – 27, 2011. Abstracts -- from all medical specialties and disciplines -- related to topics of health disparities are welcome.
Abstracts are due no later than Monday, November 1, 2010 but are reviewed on a rolling basis and early submissions are strongly encouraged.
To submit an abstract, please complete the online form
Click Here
Apply for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars® program
Application Deadline: Feb. 28, 2011
Resident physicians are invited to apply for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Clinical Scholars program, which offers a master’s degree graduate-level study and research in a university-based, post residency training program. The program provides scholars with generous funding and involves two years of study with protected time for research.
The RWJF Clinical Scholars program fosters the development of physicians who will lead the transformation of Americans’ health and health care. These future leaders will conduct innovative research and work with communities, organizations, practitioners and policy-makers to address issues essential to the health and well-being of all Americans.
Program highlights include:
- leadership training;
- mentoring;
- protected research time;
- national networking;
- health policy, health services, and community-based research training; and
- financial support for research projects and professional travel.
Four participating institutions will be recruiting 20 scholars to begin their programs in July 2012: the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Michigan; the University of Pennsylvania; and Yale University. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will provide funding for the stipends and insurance for 10 of the Scholars through VA Medical Centers affiliated with these universities. The VA provides additional support through faculty time, clinical resources, and research databases.
To apply online or find more information visit www.rwjcsp.unc.edu. The deadline for all applications (and reference letters) is February 28, 2011.
Renew Early and Save!
Renew Your NMA Membership and Receive a $50 Discount – Discount expires February 1, 2011!
It’s time to renew your membership with the National Medical Association. Your membership is vital in our efforts to end health disparities and improve the quality of health care for minorities. With all of the important changes in health care – now more than ever, the NMA is dedicated to serving you and your professional goals. Don’t delay; take advantage of the $50 discount. Renew online today! Prefer to renew by phone? Contact Member Services at (202) 347-1895 ext. 220 or 224.
Click Here
Practice Management News
Remember Opportunity Cost When Taking the EHR Plunge
Physicians Practice (09/20/10) Essin, Daniel
Daniel Essin, MA, MD, FAAP, FCCP, believes the next technology cycle is on the horizon, which will have major implications for physician practices considering electronic health record (EHR) systems. He notes that organizations benefit more from technology when they buy it new, whereas those that purchase technology at the end of a cycle reap few benefits because it is nearing obsolescence. When making EHR purchases, Essin says physicians must consider opportunity cost and keep in mind that systems implemented now to take advantage of federal incentive payments likely are out of date and will need to be replaced soon. He adds that incentive payments might not be enough to cover a speedy purchase today and a replacement in the near future or the work flow inefficiencies that result from using obsolete technology.
Share
Selling Your Practice
ChiroEco.com (09/20/2010) Sencer, Marc H.
Today's market for healthcare practices is more favorable for buyers than sellers. Prior to placing a practice up for sale, physicians should examine their financial and emotional situation. This includes considering whether they would be able to maintain their lifestyle or planned post-retirement lifestyle without the practice's income stream. They should also examine if they would miss the challenges of running their own business and if they might want to stay on in a consulting capacity or as a hired doctor. It may be beneficial to help a practice as a paid consultant as it transitions to the new owner. If a practice's financials are shaky, it is best to delay the sale at least a year or more to strengthen the practice and eliminate such things as insufficient collections, declining revenues, dependency on only a few services for profit, and a lack of systems for key functions like collections and marketing. If ready to sell, it is prudent to get help from a medical practice broker, practice-management consultant, or healthcare attorney knowledgeable in practice sales. Various formulas can be used to determine the value of a practice, such as the value of tangible assets (equipment, furniture, etc.) plus the value of goodwill. Some factors that can boost the value of a practice include a modern office, new equipment, sufficient parking, revenue growth over the past three years, efficient collections with average days-in-collection less than 45, transferable insurance PPO and HMO contracts, and key staff willing to stay on.
Share
The Fading Art of the Physical Exam
National Public Radio (09/20/10) Knox, Richard
Many physicians are abbreviating physical exams or even skipping them altogether and relying on technology instead to determine a patient's state. Stanford Medical School professor Abraham Verghese is leading the charge to restore the physical exam to what he considers its rightful place and bring doctors' skills up to snuff. "I sometimes joke that if you come to our hospital missing a finger, no one will believe you until we get a CAT scan, an MRI and an orthopedic consult," Verghese says. "We just don't trust our senses."
At Stanford, they're trying to reverse the trend. The school's graduates and trainees have to master 25 different bedside exam skills, from palpating a spleen to testing ankle reflexes.
Share
Take These Steps to Protect the Value of Your Practice -- and the Dividends it Pays You
Modern Medicine (09/10/10) Bowers, Lois A.
Keith Borglum of Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Professional Management and Marketing says the value of owning a medical practice is dividends, or the practice owner's total income minus the fair market value of labor. However, Borglum says most practices were established so that physicians could earn a "decent" income and serve patients, not for the practice's value in dividends. He says changes in reimbursement, healthcare reform mandates, the primary care physician shortage, the move toward physician-hospital organization employment, tax changes, and economic conditions are among the factors that will impact dividends in the future. To boost dividends, Borglum says practices should improve coding to boost reimbursements; take steps to increase efficiency; add such ancillary services as ultrasound, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and echocardiograms; and determine whether it makes more financial sense to hire another physician or a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Physicians will realize the dividends of their practices when they sell or retire, and they would be wise to hire a new associate who works toward ownership over time to avoid having to specify values for goodwill, tangible assets, and accounts receivable. The new associate would earn 75 percent of actual earnings the first year, 80 percent the second year, 90 percent the third year, and be offered full partnership or ownership with no-buy-in or assets-only price for the practice during the fourth year. According to Borglum, "The net result is the equivalent of selling your practice with goodwill as if you had dividends in a proper transition."
Share
Doctors' Notes Go High-Tech
Wall Street Journal (09/15/10) Cummings, Jennifer
As the government continues to encourage healthcare professionals to switch to electronic records, more physicians are embracing speech-recognition products from Nuance Communications Inc. to facilitate the process. With Nuance's voice-recognition technology, doctors need only speak into a computer to have the recording automatically transcribed. Physicians then review the transcription or have a manual transcriptionist make revisions. Manual transcription can take several days, and Nuance's products can speed up the process. Friedman Billings Ramsey says the company's electronic transcription service costs five cents to 10 cents per line of text, versus 20 cents paid by hospitals for manual transcription. With estimates that U.S. and Canadian healthcare professionals transcribe approximately 40 billion lines of medical text annually, the technology can translate into significant cost savings.
Share
Beware: Medical Necessity Denials Are Costing You Money!
Physicians News Digest (09/14/10) Mallin, Dena K.
Medical necessity denials are on the rise, but rather than view them as unrecoverable balances, experts say physicians should understand how to correct and prevent them. Diagnosis codes can be denied because the diagnosis must be more specific, the payer does not reimburse for that type of visit, or documentation is missing. Payers abide by stricter guidelines these days, and codes are being deleted or replaced more frequently. When a medical necessity denial is received, billing staff should review the coding combination, determine whether it is current for the date in service, and familiarize themselves with the payer's policy for the code. Additionally, documentation should be examined by physicians to ensure it is sufficient for use by coders. These steps should become part of a follow-up program for medical necessity denials to improve collections.
Share
How to Adopt Electronic Medical Records Without Losing Physician Productivity
Becker's ASC Review (09/10) Edwards Jr., William
Federal stimulus incentives are encouraging physician practices to adopt electronic medical records (EMR) systems. This makes it important that practices deploy EMRs that do not hinder physicians' natural workflows. Ideally, an EMR system should automatically file records without human interaction. A solution called Entrada replaces medical transcription with a Web-based technology that serves as a platform for an EMR. Entrada can generate a "job list" for each physician via an HL7 interface to a GE Centricity scheduler and billing system. The job list is based on each physician's workflow preference. Doctors dictate relevant aspects of the patient encounter, which has already been marked with necessary demographic identifiers. The dictations are captured by a voice recognition engine that make them ready for correction by an editor. The final document is routed to the EMR to the appropriate location within the file.
Share
Data Risk Management: A Critical Part of Your Practice
MDNews.com (09/14/10) Grant, Nick
As physician practices collect, store, and share patient data online, liability issues have become complex. Data protection must be in place from the moment patients access the practice's website. Physicians must understand that professional liability insurance does not cover Internet exposures or loss of data due to lost or stolen computers, hacking, employee misuse, negligent release of data, or improper disposal of paper documents or computer equipment. Thus, they would be wise to purchase a breach response liability policy that defends them against financial loss, penalties, and defense costs if patient data is compromised. They should ensure that lawsuits associated with malicious activity tied to the data breach are covered by the policy.
Share
Scribes Are Doctors' Tech Support
Los Angeles Times (09/06/10) Meyer, Harris
Doctors are depending on scribes to record treatment plans and follow up on prescriptions, lab tests, and specialist consultations, especially as they move from paper charts to electronic medical records. Their productivity falls approximately 30 percent during the transition, but scribes can help maintain efficiency given that most are young and tech-savvy. These scribes often are college students working part-time while they study to be doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals, and they do not object to earning just $8 to $10 per hour because they believe the position is a career stepping stone. "I've seen hundreds of chest pain and abdominal pain patients, and I already know the things doctors think about," says Melissa Genove, chief medical scribe in Loma Linda University Medical Center's emergency department. Although some doctors are worried that college students cannot effectively chart patients with a few months' training and question why scribes are necessary to complete electronic records when the process was supposed to be simpler, most recognize the benefits of scribes. According to Dr. Robert Steele, chief of Loma Linda's emergency department, "The physicians were spending too much time documenting and not enough time with the patient. The solution was to take the doctors off the computer, put them at the bedside, and let the scribe do the transcription." Having to juggle the switch to electronic records while seeing more patients means emergency departments are taking advantage of scribes more often than other facilities.
Share
Investment in Staffing and Technology Makes a Lasting Impression on Patients
Modern Medicine (09/10/10) Bowers, Lois A.
Physicians must pay close attention to staff and technology to ensure the practice makes a good first impression on patients and improves the interactions between patients and providers that are crucial to success. A good personality is important, but staff also should be well versed in patient relations, customer service, and insurance claims processing. Physicians should keep in mind that practices do not have to be staffed entirely with RNs, continuing education is necessary for employees, and new technology cannot replace staff. Customer service should be a top priority, and patients should not be treated as an inconvenience, ignored at the front desk, or left on hold for a long time. Practices should follow the appointment schedule, make changes based on feedback from patient surveys, and use volunteers -- provided they are covered by the practice's general liability policy -- to keep patients company and move them from one area to another. For marketing purposes, the practice should have a friendly and knowledgeable receptionist on the front lines and inform existing patients about new services first. Technology can be used to increase the practice's efficiency and patient satisfaction, using an interactive kiosk in the waiting room to allow patients to verify and update information; handling prior authorizations online; verifying coverage and co-pay amounts in advance; and rolling out an interactive Web site so patients can fill out forms before their visit. Finally, office policies and procedures should be formalized and documented to better educate new staff and hold employees accountable for their actions.
Share FAiePLc1QRbVkFR27t_CXrRExI40CN00bGFtKtWo_lYZbeuWyBurwpoDI_B6enNMBoVP2_KMUjdrPEyOwCkEfEPFHMpfjSEdi7UwoGmxvOGlY7H_8XKfRgxAs9B2a9APFpyj1vD_bHym1t8aTUr3EoZbXgmnSaM-vNNf_2H2QyulfcDt6tGHgOiZ4ssiUrP9V61KTsyiKl7E5R cKPiS7nD1axUAdavE2h7kD6Vx73DKucnCX-u8HdD20pgc2stx9_GBGgaMBkR69TGFfyxx0w48Ghbhiq3dXwkTAv-olWEW-mL1QZmAo9uTmYKUIjuZ" title="share on LinkedIn">
Bridging the Doctor-Patient Gap
Post and Courier (SC) (09/05/2010) Dudley, Renee
In South Carolina, where there is a severe shortage of rural doctors, telemedicine increasingly is being used to reach patients in rural areas. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston launched a trauma telemedicine initiative with $1 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Specialists at MUSC, one of the state's four highest-rated trauma centers, will field as many as 10 consultation calls per week as part of a research project to treat trauma and blood poisoning in four rural counties. "We can bring our expertise to a rural area to evaluate, stabilize and triage patients," says Dr. Dee Ford, a critical-care physician at MUSC. Meanwhile, telemedicine has enabled MUSC's Stroke Center to treat 700 patients in nearly a dozen hospitals. However, there are concerns about physician credentials, with doctors needing to be licensed at their base hospital and the rural hospital where patients are treated; billing and reimbursement for telemedicine procedures; and the start-up costs of telemedicine equipment and services, which, at around $80,000, can be out of reach for small medical centers. State Rep. Kristopher Crawford (R-Florence) is pushing for legislation to regulate telemedicine.
Share
A Simple Way to Cut Office Expenses
AAOS Now (09/10) Fisher, Steven E.
Almost $34,000 on average is spent on medical supplies by orthopaedic surgeons, with supply expenditures accounting for close to 3 percent of an office's total collections. However, orthopaedic surgeons and other specialists must take steps to save money as reimbursements decline and staff salaries, benefits, professional liability insurance, and occupancy costs rise. Members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons can save money through the organization's partnership with eSurg, a medical supply provider. Among other things, eSurg offers over 100,000 national and private brand items; easy Web navigation; the ability to search keywords, item numbers, and manufacturer names; and easy reordering with an "Order From History" tool. Additionally, the company allows major capital equipment purchases and offers a Competitive Savings Analysis to determine whether the program will benefit particular practices.
Share
Abstract News © Copyright 2010 INFORMATION, INC.
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Bayer's A1CNow+® provides you with a fast and easy way of obtaining accurate A1C results in your office in 5 minutes. This enables you to communicate face-to-face with your patients about their diabetes control. The American Diabetes Association recommends people with diabetes have an A1C level of less than 7%.
2010 NMA Scientific Assembly Certificates of Credit Available Online
Registered attendees to the 2010 Scientific Assembly in Orlando, Florida may claim their CME certificates of credit online. Attendees may claim credit for the 2010 Scientific Assembly via the website for up to 180 days post activity.
All AMA PRA Category 1 credit hours will be awarded to the registrant based on:
Educational activity attendance
Completion of the online or “on-site” activity credit form
Completed evaluations
For additional information or clarification please contact the CME Office at: cme@nmanet.org
To obtain credit and complete the activity evaluations please:
Click Here
NMA News
NMA Launches Asthma and Allergy Rescue Project
The National Medical Association (NMA) has a new twelve month initiative with the Academy for Educational Development (AED) and a partnership with the National Asthma Control Initiative (NACI) to promote important messages around asthma control.
New information continues to suggest that asthma has the most devastating effect on African Americans. Asthma particularly impacts the health of African American women. In general literature, no real explanation has been given on why African American women with asthma have such poor outcomes. However, investigations published in the September 2008 issue of the Journal of the National Medical Association (Volume 100, No. 9), entitled, “A New Focus on Assessing and Treating Asthma Control in the African-American Community: A Call to Action" suggest that the effect is not genetic or environmental but more situational. Often African American women are responsible for the health of the whole family and neglect to take steps to help themselves. The Clear the Air Project while focusing on the six Guidelines Implementation Panel (GIP) messages will also strive to improve information dissemination and outcomes for African American women with asthma.
The NMA Asthma and Allergy Rescue Project encourages NMA physicians to discuss with their female asthmatic patients about the importance of taking care of themselves and utilizing an Asthma Action Plan.
To learn more about the NMA Asthma and Allergy Rescue Project
2011 Scientific Assembly Call for Abstracts
The National Medical Association is currently accepting abstract submissions for its Annual Scientific Assembly in Washington, DC, July 23 – 27, 2011. Abstracts -- from all medical specialties and disciplines -- related to topics of health disparities are welcome.
Abstracts are due no later than Monday, November 1, 2010 but are reviewed on a rolling basis and early submissions are strongly encouraged.
To submit an abstract, please complete the online form
Click Here
Apply for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars® program
Application Deadline: Feb. 28, 2011
Resident physicians are invited to apply for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Clinical Scholars program, which offers a master’s degree graduate-level study and research in a university-based, post residency training program. The program provides scholars with generous funding and involves two years of study with protected time for research.
The RWJF Clinical Scholars program fosters the development of physicians who will lead the transformation of Americans’ health and health care. These future leaders will conduct innovative research and work with communities, organizations, practitioners and policy-makers to address issues essential to the health and well-being of all Americans.
Program highlights include:
- leadership training;
- mentoring;
- protected research time;
- national networking;
- health policy, health services, and community-based research training; and
- financial support for research projects and professional travel.
Four participating institutions will be recruiting 20 scholars to begin their programs in July 2012: the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Michigan; the University of Pennsylvania; and Yale University. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will provide funding for the stipends and insurance for 10 of the Scholars through VA Medical Centers affiliated with these universities. The VA provides additional support through faculty time, clinical resources, and research databases.
To apply online or find more information visit www.rwjcsp.unc.edu. The deadline for all applications (and reference letters) is February 28, 2011.
Renew Early and Save!
Renew Your NMA Membership and Receive a $50 Discount – Discount expires February 1, 2011!
It’s time to renew your membership with the National Medical Association. Your membership is vital in our efforts to end health disparities and improve the quality of health care for minorities. With all of the important changes in health care – now more than ever, the NMA is dedicated to serving you and your professional goals. Don’t delay; take advantage of the $50 discount. Renew online today! Prefer to renew by phone? Contact Member Services at (202) 347-1895 ext. 220 or 224.
Click Here
Practice Management News
Remember Opportunity Cost When Taking the EHR Plunge
Physicians Practice (09/20/10) Essin, Daniel
Daniel Essin, MA, MD, FAAP, FCCP, believes the next technology cycle is on the horizon, which will have major implications for physician practices considering electronic health record (EHR) systems. He notes that organizations benefit more from technology when they buy it new, whereas those that purchase technology at the end of a cycle reap few benefits because it is nearing obsolescence. When making EHR purchases, Essin says physicians must consider opportunity cost and keep in mind that systems implemented now to take advantage of federal incentive payments likely are out of date and will need to be replaced soon. He adds that incentive payments might not be enough to cover a speedy purchase today and a replacement in the near future or the work flow inefficiencies that result from using obsolete technology.
Share
Selling Your Practice
ChiroEco.com (09/20/2010) Sencer, Marc H.
Today's market for healthcare practices is more favorable for buyers than sellers. Prior to placing a practice up for sale, physicians should examine their financial and emotional situation. This includes considering whether they would be able to maintain their lifestyle or planned post-retirement lifestyle without the practice's income stream. They should also examine if they would miss the challenges of running their own business and if they might want to stay on in a consulting capacity or as a hired doctor. It may be beneficial to help a practice as a paid consultant as it transitions to the new owner. If a practice's financials are shaky, it is best to delay the sale at least a year or more to strengthen the practice and eliminate such things as insufficient collections, declining revenues, dependency on only a few services for profit, and a lack of systems for key functions like collections and marketing. If ready to sell, it is prudent to get help from a medical practice broker, practice-management consultant, or healthcare attorney knowledgeable in practice sales. Various formulas can be used to determine the value of a practice, such as the value of tangible assets (equipment, furniture, etc.) plus the value of goodwill. Some factors that can boost the value of a practice include a modern office, new equipment, sufficient parking, revenue growth over the past three years, efficient collections with average days-in-collection less than 45, transferable insurance PPO and HMO contracts, and key staff willing to stay on.
Share
The Fading Art of the Physical Exam
National Public Radio (09/20/10) Knox, Richard
Many physicians are abbreviating physical exams or even skipping them altogether and relying on technology instead to determine a patient's state. Stanford Medical School professor Abraham Verghese is leading the charge to restore the physical exam to what he considers its rightful place and bring doctors' skills up to snuff. "I sometimes joke that if you come to our hospital missing a finger, no one will believe you until we get a CAT scan, an MRI and an orthopedic consult," Verghese says. "We just don't trust our senses."
At Stanford, they're trying to reverse the trend. The school's graduates and trainees have to master 25 different bedside exam skills, from palpating a spleen to testing ankle reflexes.
Share
Take These Steps to Protect the Value of Your Practice -- and the Dividends it Pays You
Modern Medicine (09/10/10) Bowers, Lois A.
Keith Borglum of Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Professional Management and Marketing says the value of owning a medical practice is dividends, or the practice owner's total income minus the fair market value of labor. However, Borglum says most practices were established so that physicians could earn a "decent" income and serve patients, not for the practice's value in dividends. He says changes in reimbursement, healthcare reform mandates, the primary care physician shortage, the move toward physician-hospital organization employment, tax changes, and economic conditions are among the factors that will impact dividends in the future. To boost dividends, Borglum says practices should improve coding to boost reimbursements; take steps to increase efficiency; add such ancillary services as ultrasound, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and echocardiograms; and determine whether it makes more financial sense to hire another physician or a nurse practitioner or physician assistant. Physicians will realize the dividends of their practices when they sell or retire, and they would be wise to hire a new associate who works toward ownership over time to avoid having to specify values for goodwill, tangible assets, and accounts receivable. The new associate would earn 75 percent of actual earnings the first year, 80 percent the second year, 90 percent the third year, and be offered full partnership or ownership with no-buy-in or assets-only price for the practice during the fourth year. According to Borglum, "The net result is the equivalent of selling your practice with goodwill as if you had dividends in a proper transition."
Share
Doctors' Notes Go High-Tech
Wall Street Journal (09/15/10) Cummings, Jennifer
As the government continues to encourage healthcare professionals to switch to electronic records, more physicians are embracing speech-recognition products from Nuance Communications Inc. to facilitate the process. With Nuance's voice-recognition technology, doctors need only speak into a computer to have the recording automatically transcribed. Physicians then review the transcription or have a manual transcriptionist make revisions. Manual transcription can take several days, and Nuance's products can speed up the process. Friedman Billings Ramsey says the company's electronic transcription service costs five cents to 10 cents per line of text, versus 20 cents paid by hospitals for manual transcription. With estimates that U.S. and Canadian healthcare professionals transcribe approximately 40 billion lines of medical text annually, the technology can translate into significant cost savings.
Share
Beware: Medical Necessity Denials Are Costing You Money!
Physicians News Digest (09/14/10) Mallin, Dena K.
Medical necessity denials are on the rise, but rather than view them as unrecoverable balances, experts say physicians should understand how to correct and prevent them. Diagnosis codes can be denied because the diagnosis must be more specific, the payer does not reimburse for that type of visit, or documentation is missing. Payers abide by stricter guidelines these days, and codes are being deleted or replaced more frequently. When a medical necessity denial is received, billing staff should review the coding combination, determine whether it is current for the date in service, and familiarize themselves with the payer's policy for the code. Additionally, documentation should be examined by physicians to ensure it is sufficient for use by coders. These steps should become part of a follow-up program for medical necessity denials to improve collections.
Share
How to Adopt Electronic Medical Records Without Losing Physician Productivity
Becker's ASC Review (09/10) Edwards Jr., William
Federal stimulus incentives are encouraging physician practices to adopt electronic medical records (EMR) systems. This makes it important that practices deploy EMRs that do not hinder physicians' natural workflows. Ideally, an EMR system should automatically file records without human interaction. A solution called Entrada replaces medical transcription with a Web-based technology that serves as a platform for an EMR. Entrada can generate a "job list" for each physician via an HL7 interface to a GE Centricity scheduler and billing system. The job list is based on each physician's workflow preference. Doctors dictate relevant aspects of the patient encounter, which has already been marked with necessary demographic identifiers. The dictations are captured by a voice recognition engine that make them ready for correction by an editor. The final document is routed to the EMR to the appropriate location within the file.
Share
Data Risk Management: A Critical Part of Your Practice
MDNews.com (09/14/10) Grant, Nick
As physician practices collect, store, and share patient data online, liability issues have become complex. Data protection must be in place from the moment patients access the practice's website. Physicians must understand that professional liability insurance does not cover Internet exposures or loss of data due to lost or stolen computers, hacking, employee misuse, negligent release of data, or improper disposal of paper documents or computer equipment. Thus, they would be wise to purchase a breach response liability policy that defends them against financial loss, penalties, and defense costs if patient data is compromised. They should ensure that lawsuits associated with malicious activity tied to the data breach are covered by the policy.
Share
Scribes Are Doctors' Tech Support
Los Angeles Times (09/06/10) Meyer, Harris
Doctors are depending on scribes to record treatment plans and follow up on prescriptions, lab tests, and specialist consultations, especially as they move from paper charts to electronic medical records. Their productivity falls approximately 30 percent during the transition, but scribes can help maintain efficiency given that most are young and tech-savvy. These scribes often are college students working part-time while they study to be doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals, and they do not object to earning just $8 to $10 per hour because they believe the position is a career stepping stone. "I've seen hundreds of chest pain and abdominal pain patients, and I already know the things doctors think about," says Melissa Genove, chief medical scribe in Loma Linda University Medical Center's emergency department. Although some doctors are worried that college students cannot effectively chart patients with a few months' training and question why scribes are necessary to complete electronic records when the process was supposed to be simpler, most recognize the benefits of scribes. According to Dr. Robert Steele, chief of Loma Linda's emergency department, "The physicians were spending too much time documenting and not enough time with the patient. The solution was to take the doctors off the computer, put them at the bedside, and let the scribe do the transcription." Having to juggle the switch to electronic records while seeing more patients means emergency departments are taking advantage of scribes more often than other facilities.
Share
Investment in Staffing and Technology Makes a Lasting Impression on Patients
Modern Medicine (09/10/10) Bowers, Lois A.
Physicians must pay close attention to staff and technology to ensure the practice makes a good first impression on patients and improves the interactions between patients and providers that are crucial to success. A good personality is important, but staff also should be well versed in patient relations, customer service, and insurance claims processing. Physicians should keep in mind that practices do not have to be staffed entirely with RNs, continuing education is necessary for employees, and new technology cannot replace staff. Customer service should be a top priority, and patients should not be treated as an inconvenience, ignored at the front desk, or left on hold for a long time. Practices should follow the appointment schedule, make changes based on feedback from patient surveys, and use volunteers -- provided they are covered by the practice's general liability policy -- to keep patients company and move them from one area to another. For marketing purposes, the practice should have a friendly and knowledgeable receptionist on the front lines and inform existing patients about new services first. Technology can be used to increase the practice's efficiency and patient satisfaction, using an interactive kiosk in the waiting room to allow patients to verify and update information; handling prior authorizations online; verifying coverage and co-pay amounts in advance; and rolling out an interactive Web site so patients can fill out forms before their visit. Finally, office policies and procedures should be formalized and documented to better educate new staff and hold employees accountable for their actions.
Share FAiePLc1QRbVkFR27t_CXrRExI40CN00bGFtKtWo_lYZbeuWyBurwpoDI_B6enNMBoVP2_KMUjdrPEyOwCkEfEPFHMpfjSEdi7UwoGmxvOGlY7H_8XKfRgxAs9B2a9APFpyj1vD_bHym1t8aTUr3EoZbXgmnSaM-vNNf_2H2QyulfcDt6tGHgOiZ4ssiUrP9V61KTsyiKl7E5R cKPiS7nD1axUAdavE2h7kD6Vx73DKucnCX-u8HdD20pgc2stx9_GBGgaMBkR69TGFfyxx0w48Ghbhiq3dXwkTAv-olWEW-mL1QZmAo9uTmYKUIjuZ" title="share on LinkedIn">
Bridging the Doctor-Patient Gap
Post and Courier (SC) (09/05/2010) Dudley, Renee
In South Carolina, where there is a severe shortage of rural doctors, telemedicine increasingly is being used to reach patients in rural areas. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston launched a trauma telemedicine initiative with $1 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Specialists at MUSC, one of the state's four highest-rated trauma centers, will field as many as 10 consultation calls per week as part of a research project to treat trauma and blood poisoning in four rural counties. "We can bring our expertise to a rural area to evaluate, stabilize and triage patients," says Dr. Dee Ford, a critical-care physician at MUSC. Meanwhile, telemedicine has enabled MUSC's Stroke Center to treat 700 patients in nearly a dozen hospitals. However, there are concerns about physician credentials, with doctors needing to be licensed at their base hospital and the rural hospital where patients are treated; billing and reimbursement for telemedicine procedures; and the start-up costs of telemedicine equipment and services, which, at around $80,000, can be out of reach for small medical centers. State Rep. Kristopher Crawford (R-Florence) is pushing for legislation to regulate telemedicine.
Share
A Simple Way to Cut Office Expenses
AAOS Now (09/10) Fisher, Steven E.
Almost $34,000 on average is spent on medical supplies by orthopaedic surgeons, with supply expenditures accounting for close to 3 percent of an office's total collections. However, orthopaedic surgeons and other specialists must take steps to save money as reimbursements decline and staff salaries, benefits, professional liability insurance, and occupancy costs rise. Members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons can save money through the organization's partnership with eSurg, a medical supply provider. Among other things, eSurg offers over 100,000 national and private brand items; easy Web navigation; the ability to search keywords, item numbers, and manufacturer names; and easy reordering with an "Order From History" tool. Additionally, the company allows major capital equipment purchases and offers a Competitive Savings Analysis to determine whether the program will benefit particular practices.
Share
Abstract News © Copyright 2010 INFORMATION, INC.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Especially Open House
The Columbia Alumni Center is always open to all alumni of the University,
Monday through Saturday. But for two days this October, we will be especially open.
During this year’s Homecoming Weekend there are more reasons than ever to visit the Center:
♦ view a special athletics display
♦ get help with your alumni benefits
♦ enjoy complimentary refreshments
♦ add your story to the Columbia University
Close-Ups video project
♦ enter to win prizes including a cruise to Antarctica, a Columbia University Club
of New York membership, Miller Theatre tickets, and more.
of New York membership, Miller Theatre tickets, and more.
Lastly, don’t miss out on a special opportunity to meet new basketball head coach
Kyle Smith and his staff on Thursday, October 21 between
Kyle Smith and his staff on Thursday, October 21 between
7 and 8 p.m.
We’d love to see you, so come on home!
Questions? E-mail us at welcomecenter@columbia.edu
or call 212-851-7398.
Thursday, October 21
8:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday, October 22
8:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
Columbia Alumni Center
622 W. 113th Street
Morningside Heights (between Broadway and Riverside Drive)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
BLACK ALUMNI COUNCIL COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Issue 1:
New BAC Monthly Newsletter
2010 Homecoming Reception
New Membership Cards and Annual Dues Payments
Alumni Spotlight
Columbia Barnard JAM 2011
Monday, September 27, 2010
With enormous enthusiasm we present you with the first edition of BAC Monthly Newsletter. We hope this newsletter will enable us to communicate BAC news and events to our base more effectively. We welcome and look forward to your feedback and ideas.
Over the past year, the BAC has undergone a transformation. While the BAC will always be supported by and work very closely with Columbia University Administration and the CAA, we have been encouraged to grow and become more independent. We have embraced this directive by creating a new image, logo and website and we are extremely close to being recognized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Once we're fully recognized, we'll have the flexibility to have events that are more frequent, better executed and less expensive for you to attend.
The Black Alumni Scholarship Fund (BASF) will continue to be managed and overseen by the Columbia University Office of Alumni and Development in conjunction with the BAC.
Our membership is no longer limited to alumni of Columbia College. The BAC is now open to graduates of all schools of Columbia University, graduate and undergraduate alike. Just this past Spring at our Heritage Awards reception, Douglas Holloway '78BUS became our first non-Columbia College honoree. If you are already a member of another Columbia affiliated alumni organization, we encourage you to join the BAC as well. Suggest events and causes that the BAC and other organizations you belong to can collaborate on.
Visit columbiabac.org and become a member. Better yet, let us know if you're interested in filling one of the open positions on our executive board. I look forward to seeing you all at the Homecoming Reception on October 23!
-Christopher Jones, '07CC, BAC Vice President
2010 Homecoming Reception
The Columbia Alumni Association and the Black Alumni Council of Columbia University cordially invite all Columbia University alumni, family, and friends to the 2010 Black Alumni Homecoming - a celebration of culture and achievements by black alumni of Columbia on Saturday, October 23 from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. To view the full invitation online and to RSVP, please click HERE.
New Membership that the BAC will begin distributing plastic membership cards to official members of the BAC who are current on their dues. The membership cards will double as discount cards that can be presented for special pCards and Annual Dues Payments
We are pleased to announce romotions and discounts at Harlem area restaurants and businesses.
Once we are up and running with Harlem businesses we hope to quickly expand to other neighborhoods where our alumni live and work. Some of the merchants who have agreed to offer discounts so far include Jazz at Lincoln Center, Harlem Models, Harlem Applebees, Mojo, Nectar, Harlem Vintage, 67 Orange Street, Chocolate and many more to come. The card design and complete list of discounts will be announced at the Homecoming reception on October 23 and published on the BAC website.
Will will begin to distribute cards in November. To get your card make your dues payment HERE and be sure to complete the shipping address field. This is where your card will be mailed via USPS. If you are not sure whether you owe dues or not, we will be emailing you all personal communications within the next week alerting you of your membership status. If you are currently past due on your dues payment and we haven't alerted you as of now, we will not hold this against you - your membership period will be pushed forward so that you will be paid for another 12 months.
More details about the BAC membership cards will be announced at the Homecoming reception and communicated via email. If you have questions about your membership please contact us here.
Alumni Spotlight
As the Region 2 Regional Administrator, Denise will oversee GSA's work in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In this role, she will be responsible for nearly 450 federal buildings, and the acquisition and management of federal information technology systems, vehicles, supplies, and equipment.
Denise received her Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University, was a National Urban Fellow, and a Charles H. Revson Fellow on the Future of New York at Columbia University.
Besides having lunch with me and constantly being confused with Niecy B'76, what has Denise L. Pease done? A better question is what has Denise not done. Most recently she served as Assistant Comptroller of Commercial Banking for New York Comptroller William Thompson. In that capacity, she was the liaison between New York City's banking and financial community and the city leadership.
Prior to joining the Comptroller's office, Denise served as Deputy Superintendent of Banks for New York State, one of the country's senior financial regulatory positions, and she has been instrumental in developing financial literacy consumer education programs. Our Denise Pease is a nationally recognized voice on consumer education, community development, and the financial industry.
If you ask Denise what she is look forward to most in the coming year I'm confident she will say going to New Orleans for the 2011 JAM! -Contributed by Wayne Turner, '77CC
Columbia Barnard JAM 2011
The next Columbia Barnard JAM weekend will take place in New Orleans on the weekend of July 23rd. The final details are still being ironed out but save the date now.
The last Jam, which was held in Washington D.C, attracted more than 250 black and Latino alumni. Most of the attendees graduated from Columbia and Barnard in the 1970s and were on hand partly to celebrate the election of Barack Obama '83CC. Among the alumni who attended the reception, held at the City Club of Washington, was guest of honor U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder '73CC, '76LAW and New York State governor David A. Paterson '77CC.
The BAC will be collaborating with the JAM committee in an effort to attract more recent alumni to the JAM. More details about the JAM will be announced as they become availabale.
Copyright © 2010 Black Alumni Council of Columbia University
National Medical Association NMA News e-newsletter
Home
Practice Management News
Bayer's A1CNow+® provides you with a fast and easy way of obtaining accurate A1C results in your office in 5 minutes. This enables you to communicate face-to-face with your patients about their diabetes control. The American Diabetes Association recommends people with diabetes have an A1C level of less than 7%.
Abstracts are due no later than Monday, November 1, 2010 but are reviewed on a rolling basis and early submissions are strongly encouraged.
To submit an abstract
NMA News
National Medical Association Receives Five-Year Award for the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI)
The National Medical Association (NMA), one of 20 leading minority organizations, was recently awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding to raise awareness to help reduce the disproportionate rates of HIV/AIDS among the African American community. The Act Against AIDS communication campaign is the first national campaign supported by the CDC in more than ten years. The NMA along with other minority organizations such as NAACP, National Council of Negro Women and the National Urban League will work together to deliver HIV/AIDS messages, membership education and awareness, and conduct community outreach activities.
For more information on the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative and NMA HIV/AIDS programs please visit www.cdc.gov/hiv/aaa or http://hiv.nmanet.org.
Help Your Patients Breathe
The National Medical Association(NMA) is expanding its education and outreach efforts through its Asthma and Allergy Rescue Project to reduce asthma disparities by enhancing the delivery of quality asthma care in African American communities. This expansion is made possible through a partnership with the National Asthma Control Initiative (NACI) through a grant from Academy for Educational Development (AED).
The NMA will provide toolkits for physicians and for patients with educational materials and other useful resources that reinforce the Guidelines Implementation Panel (GIP) messages. Click here. The NMA Asthma and Allergy Rescue Project would like to encourage NMA Members who have asthmatic patients to continue familiarizing themselves with the GIP messages. We also encourage you to share with patients the developed Asthma Action Plan www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.pdf as it empowers them to vigilant of triggers, allergens and overall breathing health. The Principle Investigator for this project is Michael A. Lenoir, M.D., FAAAI. For more information please contact Cheryl Dukes at cdukes@nmanet.org or Roslyn Douglas at rdouglas@nmanet.org.
Apply for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars® program
Application Deadline: Feb. 28, 2011
Resident physicians are invited to apply for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Clinical Scholars program, which offers a master’s degree graduate-level study and research in a university-based, post residency training program. The program provides scholars with generous funding and involves two years of study with protected time for research.
The RWJF Clinical Scholars program fosters the development of physicians who will lead the transformation of Americans’ health and health care. These future leaders will conduct innovative research and work with communities, organizations, practitioners and policy-makers to address issues essential to the health and well-being of all Americans.
Program highlights include:
- leadership training;
- mentoring;
- protected research time;
- national networking;
- health policy, health services, and community-based research training; and
- financial support for research projects and professional travel.
Four participating institutions will be recruiting 20 scholars to begin their programs in July 2012: the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Michigan; the University of Pennsylvania; and Yale University. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will provide funding for the stipends and insurance for 10 of the Scholars through VA Medical Centers affiliated with these universities. The VA provides additional support through faculty time, clinical resources, and research databases.
To apply online or find more information visit www.rwjcsp.unc.edu. The deadline for all applications (and reference letters) is February 28, 2011.
Renew Early and Save!
Renew Your NMA Membership and Receive a $50 Discount – Discount expires February 1, 2011!
It’s time to renew your membership with the National Medical Association. Your membership is vital in our efforts to end health disparities and improve the quality of health care for minorities. With all of the important changes in health care – now more than ever, the NMA is dedicated to serving you and your professional goals. Don’t delay; take advantage of the $50 discount. Renew online today! Prefer to renew by phone? Contact Member Services at (202) 347-1895 ext. 220 or 224.
Practice Management News
'Oops, I Hired a Nightmare Employee'
Physicians Practice (08/10) Vol. 20, No. 13, Michael, Sara
When medical practices need to fill a job opening quickly, they should turn to an employment agency for a temporary worker or ask a former or current cross-trained employee to take over for awhile. Such a strategy avoids settling for a mediocre employee and gives the practice more time to find the right applicant. Practices also should clearly define the duties of the job and what skills and attributes are desired. Rather than ask traditional questions about strengths and weaknesses, practices should develop creative interview questions, asking applicants about the best traits of their last boss and what they liked or disliked about their previous position, for example. A case study from the practice should be presented to applicants, who must explain how they would handle the situation. Experts also encourage practices to schedule more than one interview or a second interview with a different team member to get to know the applicant better and underscore the importance of conducting credit, motor vehicle, criminal background, and reference checks.
Ins and Outs of Medical Practice Non-Compete Provisions
Physicians News Digest (08/17/10) Bernick, Daniel M.
Most physician contracts feature non-compete clauses to prevent departing associates from setting up practices within a certain distance of their former employers for a specified period of time, usually a couple of years. The idea behind these clauses is to protect the practice's patient base, but given that state rules governing them vary widely and generally are enforceable only when the geographic restrictions and time frames are not excessive, practices and their attorneys must take steps to strike a balance. Associates may not want to sign non-compete agreements that would force a relocation away from family, and young physicians looking to join a practice to avoid start up costs could decide to set up their own practices if the clause is too strict. In response, practices would be wise to offer non-compete clauses with a pre-agreed money buyout option. The clause must indicate a remedy in the event of a breach, which generally involves either a court injunction or money damages, and state law must be consulted. Non-compete clauses often are accompanied by non-solicitation/confidentiality covenants to prevent associates from setting up practices just outside the specified geographic boundary of the non-compete clause and soliciting the patients of their former employer.
Disclosing Errors, Offering Compensation May Keep Physicians Out of Court
Medscape (08/16/10)
The University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) has seen its rate of malpractice litigation and total liability costs drop dramatically nine years after it began disclosing medical errors to patients and offering to compensate them, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. UMHS began implementing its program, in which it admitted fault and offered compensation when an internal inquiry revealed medical error, in 2001. At first, UMHS applied the policy to all new and pending malpractice claims, but it now relies on its own employees in addition to patients and their attorneys to identify cases of patient injury.
The authors of the study acknowledge two caveats, however, to concluding that the policy can be expanded systemwide. First, malpractice claims against Michigan physicians statewide were declining when UMHS was implementing its policy. The state had passed several tort reform measures in 1994, including a cap on noneconomic damages, which may have contributed to the trend. Second, a disclosure-and-offer program may achieve less results in healthcare organizations that operate differently than UMHS. The Michigan health system employs its physicians, pays for their malpractice coverage, and accepts responsibility for claims on a system-wide basis. As a result, individual UMHS physicians are rarely reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank.
EHR Adoption Rates and the Benefits of an Electronically Connected Profession
Dynamic Chiropractic (08/12/2010) Kraus, Steven
Research shows that 8 percent to 12 percent of small physician practices have implemented electronic health records (EHRs), with chiropractors boasting adoption rates near 19 percent. These physicians are leading the way, and some observers predict universal adoption could be a reality within five years. EHRs will allow health care information to be shared almost instantly, and storage is completely digital. Over the next five years, chiropractors will need EHRs because CD-ROMs and X-ray jackets to store images will become obsolete. Universal EHR adoption, electronic exchange of practice data, and data mining will enhance collaboration and show that chiropractors and other physicians are modern and willing to produce clinical data to prove their outcomes. However, ease of use, staff compliance, integration with billing and scheduling systems, and HIPAA compliance remain top concerns.
Many Doctors May Find Meeting 'Meaningful Use' Requirements a Challenge
iHealthBeat (08/05/10) Stack, Steven J.
While the cost of setting up an EHR system is a major obstacle to a medical practice’s adoption of the technology, the “meaningful use” requirement may be just as challenging for many. The American Medical Association worked with regulators to develop flexible requirements and a clear outline of what physicians need to do to receive federal incentives, but it will still be difficult for small and solo practices. In the final rule there are fewer requirements to meet in the initial stage of the program and lowered reporting volumes for several measures—the use of computerized physician order entry was reduced from 80 percent to 30 percent and applies only to medication orders, for example. The number of clinical quality measures that must be reported is now limited to those with electronic specifications, and doctors may select those measures that are relevant to their practice. But there are still significant challenges—there is no single system on the market that would allow physicians to meet all of the requirements for meaningful use, and while some may come to market this fall, that would allow less than a year to buy, implement, and meet the requirements with a new system. And even with fewer requirements to meet, 20 is still a lot for practices that are not tech-savvy, and practices that already have systems will have to upgrade them to meet the requirements.
How to Find Help Implementing an HER
Physicians News Digest (08/17/10) Frantz, Ken; Newman, Mark
Physician practices looking to take advantage of financial incentives for implementing electronic health records (EHRs) need to look for assistance now, as the final rule for "meaningful use" requirements has been issued and the first deadline is next year. Practices, especially small groups in underserved and poorer communities, can obtain assistance from Regional Extension Centers (RECs) created and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. RECs can help practices choose the appropriate EHR system, charging a small fee or offering their services at no cost. Practices also can seek help from vendors, negotiating such assistance before purchasing the software; but those needing to integrate EHR with existing systems and medical devices might want to hire a consultant who understands their unique needs. Free or discounted selection tools, implementation guides, and advice can be obtained from medical specialty societies, and online resources have been made available by several professional organizations. Most importantly, practices need to set aside time for staff to learn the new systems to ensure a smooth implementation and increased efficiency.
Tighter Medical Privacy Rules Sought
New York Times (08/22/10) Pear, Robert
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has pulled the final medical privacy rules it sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget in May due to concerns generated by federal lawmakers and consumer groups. The rules spell out when patients must be informed about security breaches involving medical records, which are on the rise due to expanded use of health IT, social media and the Internet. The temporary rules issued by HHS in August 2009 state that patients must be notified only when a privacy breach posed "significant risk of financial, reputational or other harm to the individual," as determined by risk assessments. Critics of the rules say it is difficult for healthcare providers and insurers to determine whether harm will result from improper disclosure. In response, HHS is rewriting the rules and hopes to issue a final regulation in the fall.
Implementing Contract Negotiations: Let the Games Begin
AAOS Now (08/10) Charkin, Susan E.
After sending proposal letters to payors, physician practices begin the process of negotiating higher reimbursement rates. They should emphasize any advantages to retaining their business over the long term, specifically how patient/employer satisfaction and preventive care can positively impact payouts in the future. They also should understand that the negotiation process is a game with several rules. As a result, they would be wise not to bypass first- and second-level contacts and go to the top decision-maker; understand that it could take several weeks for a counterproposal to be made but follow up with first-level negotiators in a timely manner; and allow billing directors or practice managers to participate in the initial negotiations before involving more senior managers. After the contract is received, they should review it to ensure the reimbursement rates and terms are up to date, and to ensure implementation, they should request a copy of the fully executed agreement.
Why Physicians Should Get to Know Google
Fierce Practice Management (08/24/10) Beaulieu, Debra
Google claims that 86 percent of doctors say they now regularly use the Internet on the job. Pediatrician Dr. Rahul K. Parikh cites a recent example where he looked up "retinitis pigmentosa" on the Google site while gathering a patient's medical history, and quickly used the information available to realize that annual vision checks would suffice for the patient. However, a 2006 study published in the British Medical Journal had physicians read the histories of 26 tough cases published in the New England Journal of Medicine and attempt to make a diagnosis by entering search terms into Google. The physicians in the study arrived at the right diagnosis 58 percent of the time, while Parikh got none correct when trying the experiment on his own. Search engine algorithms, which are not made public, may be part of the reason for the difficulty. "The solution for doctors [and everyone], I suspect, is best answered by taking note of that lack of transparency [of ranking algorithms] and by making it a professional priority to become search savvy," Parikh states. Google's "advanced search" feature can shrink the size of a search, as can using quotation marks for exact phrases and excluding words by putting a minus sign in front of them. Gaining expertise in Internet searching, especially in a world in which medical knowledge exponentially outpaces anyone's ability to know it all, is a valuable skill set for young doctors to gain.
Doctors Rely on iPhones to Guide Treatment
San Jose Mercury News (08/03/10) Boudreau, John
Physicians such as Kathy Corby at Hollister, Calif.'s Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital say the way they practice medicine is being transformed by the ability to instantly access data in any situation and via one-touch technology such as smartphones. IPhones and other devices loaded with medical applications remove the need to consult a thick manual or one's memory when confronted with an emergency situation. Experts say that doctors may eventually be able to access electronic patient records on their handhelds, and emergency rooms and other hospital areas are already being outfitted with iPads so medical staff can obtain critical information swiftly. Manhattan Research's Meredith Ressi says that doctors are three times more likely to use smartphones than the general adult U.S. population, while over 70 percent of U.S. doctors currently use advanced phones or personal digital assistants. Eighty percent of this segment say the devices are crucial to their work. There are some concerns that the use of smartphones and similar devices could lead to data overload, while other experts warn that the sharing of medical cases between doctors using smartphones could constitute a risk to patient privacy.
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Physicians: Get Over Your Fear of Electronic Messaging
HealthLeaders Media (08/03/10) Shaw, Gienna
Many physicians are concerned that e-mail communications with patients would take up too much of their time and expose them to liability. But a study—published in the July Health Affairs—of 35,423 people with diabetes, hypertension, or both, showed that the use of secure patient-physician e-mail messaging was associated with a statistically significant improvement in effectiveness of care during a two-month period. Physicians participating in the study said they were not overwhelmed by a large number of e-mails. On average, exchanges contained just slightly more than one patient message and one physician message, and 63 percent required clinical assessments or decisions, while 24 percent required clinical action such as ordering a lab test, showing that patients were not frivolous in their e-mails. E-mailing also cut down on unnecessary outpatient visits, thus improving the efficiency of care.
E-Prescription Use Grows, But Some Hurdles Remain
Post-Tribune (IN) (08/02/10) Taylor, Mark
Although the federal government will institute financial penalties for medical practices that do not electronically prescribe medications beginning in 2012, the Center for Studying System Change says less than 33 percent of practices nationwide have implemented e-prescribing systems. Of those with e-prescribing systems, the study found that many doctors fax the prescription instead of sending it electronically and do not take advantage of the system's ability to identify harmful drug interactions or cross-reference insurance formularies to determine whether the medicine will be covered by insurance. While cost and the fact that many pharmacies are unable to accept e-scripts play a role in low adoption rates, experts say e-prescribing poses some dangers. Alex Stemer, MD, of Medical Specialists Inc. in Munster, Ind., says "wrong-click" errors are possible, as systems present a list of drug names when physicians begin to key in the information, making it easy for them to mistakenly select a similarly spelled drug. In addition to the lack of black box warnings and the fact that pharmacies check e-mail only a few times on a daily basis, dosing errors are a concern. "One click above or below many mean a 50 percent dosage difference in the drug," says Stemer. "How does a pharmacist catch that?"
Health-Care Overhaul: Doctors Must Go Digital
Orlando Sentinel (FL) (08/09/10) Cevallo, Marissa
New federal requirements for medical practices to go paperless will affect about 1,400 doctors in Central Florida, offering financial incentives for those who make “meaningful use” of the technology and penalties for those who do not. Orlando Health and Florida Hospital now are meeting many of the 25 milestones and will meet the 2015 deadline, but some are concerned that smaller, older practices will not be able to comply and may shut their practices. Indeed, up to 30 percent of primary-care doctors are considering early retirement because of the requirements, according to family-practice physician John Littell. The University of Central Florida College of Medicine has received a $7.7 million stimulus grant to train doctors and their staffs on electronic health records systems in order to prevent many from retiring. While many say the systems will save lives as well as money, the cost of buying and implementing the systems is still a major barrier, and there are some fraud and privacy concerns as well. But many physicians say the challenges will be worth it, especially if it means receiving federal incentive payments.
Local Doctors Begin Charging Fees, Cutting Patients for 'Concierge' Medical Care, Some Severing Ties With Medicare
Huntsville Times (AL) (08/01/10) Doyle, Steve
Alabama physicians have started to adopt a "concierge model" and charge patients for greater access and more extensive treatment, or stop treating Medicare subscribers unless they pay a yearly fee. Most established family doctors and internists in Huntsville are refusing to accept new Medicare or Medicaid patients. Huntsville Hospital CEO David Spillers says experiments with concierge doctor services are being closely watched by local primary-care physicians, and he adds that he knows several doctors who are considering cutting out Medicare due to excessive paperwork and concerns that the Medicare program will greatly reduce doctor reimbursements. Spillers notes, however, that thousands of patients could be left to look for new primary-care doctors as large medical offices transition to smaller fee-for-access practices. He says that patients covered by private health insurance should be able to easily find new caregivers, while Medicare patients will have a tougher time and the search will be "almost impossible" for Medicaid patients. "Clearly, if there were a massive move by physicians [to become concierge providers], health care for Medicare and Medicaid patients is going to be delivered in the emergency rooms and urgent care centers," says Spillers. "We will be overrun." Across the United States there are an estimated 5,000 concierge-type practitioners, and among the factors driving concierge medicine are people who want the best care possible now because they are concerned the country is heading toward a nationalized health care system with long waits to see specialists.
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Abstract News © Copyright 2010 INFORMATION, INC.
Practice Management News
Bayer's A1CNow+® provides you with a fast and easy way of obtaining accurate A1C results in your office in 5 minutes. This enables you to communicate face-to-face with your patients about their diabetes control. The American Diabetes Association recommends people with diabetes have an A1C level of less than 7%.
2011 Scientific Assembly Call for Abstracts
The National Medical Association is currently accepting abstract submissions for its Annual Scientific Assembly in Washington, DC, July 23 – 27, 2011. Abstracts -- from all medical specialties and disciplines -- related to topics of health disparities are welcome. Abstracts are due no later than Monday, November 1, 2010 but are reviewed on a rolling basis and early submissions are strongly encouraged.
To submit an abstract
NMA News
National Medical Association Receives Five-Year Award for the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative (AAALI)
The National Medical Association (NMA), one of 20 leading minority organizations, was recently awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding to raise awareness to help reduce the disproportionate rates of HIV/AIDS among the African American community. The Act Against AIDS communication campaign is the first national campaign supported by the CDC in more than ten years. The NMA along with other minority organizations such as NAACP, National Council of Negro Women and the National Urban League will work together to deliver HIV/AIDS messages, membership education and awareness, and conduct community outreach activities.
For more information on the Act Against AIDS Leadership Initiative and NMA HIV/AIDS programs please visit www.cdc.gov/hiv/aaa or http://hiv.nmanet.org.
Help Your Patients Breathe
The National Medical Association(NMA) is expanding its education and outreach efforts through its Asthma and Allergy Rescue Project to reduce asthma disparities by enhancing the delivery of quality asthma care in African American communities. This expansion is made possible through a partnership with the National Asthma Control Initiative (NACI) through a grant from Academy for Educational Development (AED).
The NMA will provide toolkits for physicians and for patients with educational materials and other useful resources that reinforce the Guidelines Implementation Panel (GIP) messages. Click here. The NMA Asthma and Allergy Rescue Project would like to encourage NMA Members who have asthmatic patients to continue familiarizing themselves with the GIP messages. We also encourage you to share with patients the developed Asthma Action Plan www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.pdf as it empowers them to vigilant of triggers, allergens and overall breathing health. The Principle Investigator for this project is Michael A. Lenoir, M.D., FAAAI. For more information please contact Cheryl Dukes at cdukes@nmanet.org or Roslyn Douglas at rdouglas@nmanet.org.
Apply for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars® program
Application Deadline: Feb. 28, 2011
Resident physicians are invited to apply for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Clinical Scholars program, which offers a master’s degree graduate-level study and research in a university-based, post residency training program. The program provides scholars with generous funding and involves two years of study with protected time for research.
The RWJF Clinical Scholars program fosters the development of physicians who will lead the transformation of Americans’ health and health care. These future leaders will conduct innovative research and work with communities, organizations, practitioners and policy-makers to address issues essential to the health and well-being of all Americans.
Program highlights include:
- leadership training;
- mentoring;
- protected research time;
- national networking;
- health policy, health services, and community-based research training; and
- financial support for research projects and professional travel.
Four participating institutions will be recruiting 20 scholars to begin their programs in July 2012: the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Michigan; the University of Pennsylvania; and Yale University. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will provide funding for the stipends and insurance for 10 of the Scholars through VA Medical Centers affiliated with these universities. The VA provides additional support through faculty time, clinical resources, and research databases.
To apply online or find more information visit www.rwjcsp.unc.edu. The deadline for all applications (and reference letters) is February 28, 2011.
Renew Early and Save!
Renew Your NMA Membership and Receive a $50 Discount – Discount expires February 1, 2011!
It’s time to renew your membership with the National Medical Association. Your membership is vital in our efforts to end health disparities and improve the quality of health care for minorities. With all of the important changes in health care – now more than ever, the NMA is dedicated to serving you and your professional goals. Don’t delay; take advantage of the $50 discount. Renew online today! Prefer to renew by phone? Contact Member Services at (202) 347-1895 ext. 220 or 224.
Practice Management News
'Oops, I Hired a Nightmare Employee'
Physicians Practice (08/10) Vol. 20, No. 13, Michael, Sara
When medical practices need to fill a job opening quickly, they should turn to an employment agency for a temporary worker or ask a former or current cross-trained employee to take over for awhile. Such a strategy avoids settling for a mediocre employee and gives the practice more time to find the right applicant. Practices also should clearly define the duties of the job and what skills and attributes are desired. Rather than ask traditional questions about strengths and weaknesses, practices should develop creative interview questions, asking applicants about the best traits of their last boss and what they liked or disliked about their previous position, for example. A case study from the practice should be presented to applicants, who must explain how they would handle the situation. Experts also encourage practices to schedule more than one interview or a second interview with a different team member to get to know the applicant better and underscore the importance of conducting credit, motor vehicle, criminal background, and reference checks.
Ins and Outs of Medical Practice Non-Compete Provisions
Physicians News Digest (08/17/10) Bernick, Daniel M.
Most physician contracts feature non-compete clauses to prevent departing associates from setting up practices within a certain distance of their former employers for a specified period of time, usually a couple of years. The idea behind these clauses is to protect the practice's patient base, but given that state rules governing them vary widely and generally are enforceable only when the geographic restrictions and time frames are not excessive, practices and their attorneys must take steps to strike a balance. Associates may not want to sign non-compete agreements that would force a relocation away from family, and young physicians looking to join a practice to avoid start up costs could decide to set up their own practices if the clause is too strict. In response, practices would be wise to offer non-compete clauses with a pre-agreed money buyout option. The clause must indicate a remedy in the event of a breach, which generally involves either a court injunction or money damages, and state law must be consulted. Non-compete clauses often are accompanied by non-solicitation/confidentiality covenants to prevent associates from setting up practices just outside the specified geographic boundary of the non-compete clause and soliciting the patients of their former employer.
Disclosing Errors, Offering Compensation May Keep Physicians Out of Court
Medscape (08/16/10)
The University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) has seen its rate of malpractice litigation and total liability costs drop dramatically nine years after it began disclosing medical errors to patients and offering to compensate them, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. UMHS began implementing its program, in which it admitted fault and offered compensation when an internal inquiry revealed medical error, in 2001. At first, UMHS applied the policy to all new and pending malpractice claims, but it now relies on its own employees in addition to patients and their attorneys to identify cases of patient injury.
The authors of the study acknowledge two caveats, however, to concluding that the policy can be expanded systemwide. First, malpractice claims against Michigan physicians statewide were declining when UMHS was implementing its policy. The state had passed several tort reform measures in 1994, including a cap on noneconomic damages, which may have contributed to the trend. Second, a disclosure-and-offer program may achieve less results in healthcare organizations that operate differently than UMHS. The Michigan health system employs its physicians, pays for their malpractice coverage, and accepts responsibility for claims on a system-wide basis. As a result, individual UMHS physicians are rarely reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank.
EHR Adoption Rates and the Benefits of an Electronically Connected Profession
Dynamic Chiropractic (08/12/2010) Kraus, Steven
Research shows that 8 percent to 12 percent of small physician practices have implemented electronic health records (EHRs), with chiropractors boasting adoption rates near 19 percent. These physicians are leading the way, and some observers predict universal adoption could be a reality within five years. EHRs will allow health care information to be shared almost instantly, and storage is completely digital. Over the next five years, chiropractors will need EHRs because CD-ROMs and X-ray jackets to store images will become obsolete. Universal EHR adoption, electronic exchange of practice data, and data mining will enhance collaboration and show that chiropractors and other physicians are modern and willing to produce clinical data to prove their outcomes. However, ease of use, staff compliance, integration with billing and scheduling systems, and HIPAA compliance remain top concerns.
Many Doctors May Find Meeting 'Meaningful Use' Requirements a Challenge
iHealthBeat (08/05/10) Stack, Steven J.
While the cost of setting up an EHR system is a major obstacle to a medical practice’s adoption of the technology, the “meaningful use” requirement may be just as challenging for many. The American Medical Association worked with regulators to develop flexible requirements and a clear outline of what physicians need to do to receive federal incentives, but it will still be difficult for small and solo practices. In the final rule there are fewer requirements to meet in the initial stage of the program and lowered reporting volumes for several measures—the use of computerized physician order entry was reduced from 80 percent to 30 percent and applies only to medication orders, for example. The number of clinical quality measures that must be reported is now limited to those with electronic specifications, and doctors may select those measures that are relevant to their practice. But there are still significant challenges—there is no single system on the market that would allow physicians to meet all of the requirements for meaningful use, and while some may come to market this fall, that would allow less than a year to buy, implement, and meet the requirements with a new system. And even with fewer requirements to meet, 20 is still a lot for practices that are not tech-savvy, and practices that already have systems will have to upgrade them to meet the requirements.
How to Find Help Implementing an HER
Physicians News Digest (08/17/10) Frantz, Ken; Newman, Mark
Physician practices looking to take advantage of financial incentives for implementing electronic health records (EHRs) need to look for assistance now, as the final rule for "meaningful use" requirements has been issued and the first deadline is next year. Practices, especially small groups in underserved and poorer communities, can obtain assistance from Regional Extension Centers (RECs) created and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. RECs can help practices choose the appropriate EHR system, charging a small fee or offering their services at no cost. Practices also can seek help from vendors, negotiating such assistance before purchasing the software; but those needing to integrate EHR with existing systems and medical devices might want to hire a consultant who understands their unique needs. Free or discounted selection tools, implementation guides, and advice can be obtained from medical specialty societies, and online resources have been made available by several professional organizations. Most importantly, practices need to set aside time for staff to learn the new systems to ensure a smooth implementation and increased efficiency.
Tighter Medical Privacy Rules Sought
New York Times (08/22/10) Pear, Robert
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has pulled the final medical privacy rules it sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget in May due to concerns generated by federal lawmakers and consumer groups. The rules spell out when patients must be informed about security breaches involving medical records, which are on the rise due to expanded use of health IT, social media and the Internet. The temporary rules issued by HHS in August 2009 state that patients must be notified only when a privacy breach posed "significant risk of financial, reputational or other harm to the individual," as determined by risk assessments. Critics of the rules say it is difficult for healthcare providers and insurers to determine whether harm will result from improper disclosure. In response, HHS is rewriting the rules and hopes to issue a final regulation in the fall.
Implementing Contract Negotiations: Let the Games Begin
AAOS Now (08/10) Charkin, Susan E.
After sending proposal letters to payors, physician practices begin the process of negotiating higher reimbursement rates. They should emphasize any advantages to retaining their business over the long term, specifically how patient/employer satisfaction and preventive care can positively impact payouts in the future. They also should understand that the negotiation process is a game with several rules. As a result, they would be wise not to bypass first- and second-level contacts and go to the top decision-maker; understand that it could take several weeks for a counterproposal to be made but follow up with first-level negotiators in a timely manner; and allow billing directors or practice managers to participate in the initial negotiations before involving more senior managers. After the contract is received, they should review it to ensure the reimbursement rates and terms are up to date, and to ensure implementation, they should request a copy of the fully executed agreement.
Why Physicians Should Get to Know Google
Fierce Practice Management (08/24/10) Beaulieu, Debra
Google claims that 86 percent of doctors say they now regularly use the Internet on the job. Pediatrician Dr. Rahul K. Parikh cites a recent example where he looked up "retinitis pigmentosa" on the Google site while gathering a patient's medical history, and quickly used the information available to realize that annual vision checks would suffice for the patient. However, a 2006 study published in the British Medical Journal had physicians read the histories of 26 tough cases published in the New England Journal of Medicine and attempt to make a diagnosis by entering search terms into Google. The physicians in the study arrived at the right diagnosis 58 percent of the time, while Parikh got none correct when trying the experiment on his own. Search engine algorithms, which are not made public, may be part of the reason for the difficulty. "The solution for doctors [and everyone], I suspect, is best answered by taking note of that lack of transparency [of ranking algorithms] and by making it a professional priority to become search savvy," Parikh states. Google's "advanced search" feature can shrink the size of a search, as can using quotation marks for exact phrases and excluding words by putting a minus sign in front of them. Gaining expertise in Internet searching, especially in a world in which medical knowledge exponentially outpaces anyone's ability to know it all, is a valuable skill set for young doctors to gain.
Doctors Rely on iPhones to Guide Treatment
San Jose Mercury News (08/03/10) Boudreau, John
Physicians such as Kathy Corby at Hollister, Calif.'s Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital say the way they practice medicine is being transformed by the ability to instantly access data in any situation and via one-touch technology such as smartphones. IPhones and other devices loaded with medical applications remove the need to consult a thick manual or one's memory when confronted with an emergency situation. Experts say that doctors may eventually be able to access electronic patient records on their handhelds, and emergency rooms and other hospital areas are already being outfitted with iPads so medical staff can obtain critical information swiftly. Manhattan Research's Meredith Ressi says that doctors are three times more likely to use smartphones than the general adult U.S. population, while over 70 percent of U.S. doctors currently use advanced phones or personal digital assistants. Eighty percent of this segment say the devices are crucial to their work. There are some concerns that the use of smartphones and similar devices could lead to data overload, while other experts warn that the sharing of medical cases between doctors using smartphones could constitute a risk to patient privacy.
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Physicians: Get Over Your Fear of Electronic Messaging
HealthLeaders Media (08/03/10) Shaw, Gienna
Many physicians are concerned that e-mail communications with patients would take up too much of their time and expose them to liability. But a study—published in the July Health Affairs—of 35,423 people with diabetes, hypertension, or both, showed that the use of secure patient-physician e-mail messaging was associated with a statistically significant improvement in effectiveness of care during a two-month period. Physicians participating in the study said they were not overwhelmed by a large number of e-mails. On average, exchanges contained just slightly more than one patient message and one physician message, and 63 percent required clinical assessments or decisions, while 24 percent required clinical action such as ordering a lab test, showing that patients were not frivolous in their e-mails. E-mailing also cut down on unnecessary outpatient visits, thus improving the efficiency of care.
E-Prescription Use Grows, But Some Hurdles Remain
Post-Tribune (IN) (08/02/10) Taylor, Mark
Although the federal government will institute financial penalties for medical practices that do not electronically prescribe medications beginning in 2012, the Center for Studying System Change says less than 33 percent of practices nationwide have implemented e-prescribing systems. Of those with e-prescribing systems, the study found that many doctors fax the prescription instead of sending it electronically and do not take advantage of the system's ability to identify harmful drug interactions or cross-reference insurance formularies to determine whether the medicine will be covered by insurance. While cost and the fact that many pharmacies are unable to accept e-scripts play a role in low adoption rates, experts say e-prescribing poses some dangers. Alex Stemer, MD, of Medical Specialists Inc. in Munster, Ind., says "wrong-click" errors are possible, as systems present a list of drug names when physicians begin to key in the information, making it easy for them to mistakenly select a similarly spelled drug. In addition to the lack of black box warnings and the fact that pharmacies check e-mail only a few times on a daily basis, dosing errors are a concern. "One click above or below many mean a 50 percent dosage difference in the drug," says Stemer. "How does a pharmacist catch that?"
Health-Care Overhaul: Doctors Must Go Digital
Orlando Sentinel (FL) (08/09/10) Cevallo, Marissa
New federal requirements for medical practices to go paperless will affect about 1,400 doctors in Central Florida, offering financial incentives for those who make “meaningful use” of the technology and penalties for those who do not. Orlando Health and Florida Hospital now are meeting many of the 25 milestones and will meet the 2015 deadline, but some are concerned that smaller, older practices will not be able to comply and may shut their practices. Indeed, up to 30 percent of primary-care doctors are considering early retirement because of the requirements, according to family-practice physician John Littell. The University of Central Florida College of Medicine has received a $7.7 million stimulus grant to train doctors and their staffs on electronic health records systems in order to prevent many from retiring. While many say the systems will save lives as well as money, the cost of buying and implementing the systems is still a major barrier, and there are some fraud and privacy concerns as well. But many physicians say the challenges will be worth it, especially if it means receiving federal incentive payments.
Local Doctors Begin Charging Fees, Cutting Patients for 'Concierge' Medical Care, Some Severing Ties With Medicare
Huntsville Times (AL) (08/01/10) Doyle, Steve
Alabama physicians have started to adopt a "concierge model" and charge patients for greater access and more extensive treatment, or stop treating Medicare subscribers unless they pay a yearly fee. Most established family doctors and internists in Huntsville are refusing to accept new Medicare or Medicaid patients. Huntsville Hospital CEO David Spillers says experiments with concierge doctor services are being closely watched by local primary-care physicians, and he adds that he knows several doctors who are considering cutting out Medicare due to excessive paperwork and concerns that the Medicare program will greatly reduce doctor reimbursements. Spillers notes, however, that thousands of patients could be left to look for new primary-care doctors as large medical offices transition to smaller fee-for-access practices. He says that patients covered by private health insurance should be able to easily find new caregivers, while Medicare patients will have a tougher time and the search will be "almost impossible" for Medicaid patients. "Clearly, if there were a massive move by physicians [to become concierge providers], health care for Medicare and Medicaid patients is going to be delivered in the emergency rooms and urgent care centers," says Spillers. "We will be overrun." Across the United States there are an estimated 5,000 concierge-type practitioners, and among the factors driving concierge medicine are people who want the best care possible now because they are concerned the country is heading toward a nationalized health care system with long waits to see specialists.
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Thursday, September 9, 2010
November 10, 2010 Arts Alive Concert at Tillett Gardens, St. Thomas, USVI - Wallace & Allen
Subject: Press Release for November 10, 2010 Arts Alive Concert at Tillett Gardens, St. Thomas, USVI - Wallace & Allen
On Wednesday, November 10, 2010 @ 8 p.m., Steve Wallace, Tenor, from New York City will perform with Dr. Adele Allen, Pianist, in the opening concert of the 2010-2011 Arts Alive Concert Series at Tillett Gardens in St. Thomas, USVI. These two performers will present operatic arias, German lieder, art songs and spirituals in the outdoor theatre. In addition, Dr. Allen will perform solo piano selections by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Both artists will present workshops at the St. Thomas public schools on Tuesday, November 9th as part of the Student Outreach Program of the Tillett Foundation. They will continue with the tradition of providing opportunities for the VI youth to learn about classical performing music in a hands-on experience with personal interactions between the students, their teachers and the performers.
Steve Wallace, a graduate of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus, has studied voice, composition, music theory, ear training and music history. A student of Dr. Alfonse Anderson and Maestro Vinko Bailey, Mr. Wallace has performed as the lead soloist in seven operas, toured worldwide, composed his own three-act opera, a piano sonata and ten classical art songs. In addition to his outstanding classical performance skills, he has also recorded his own hip-hop compositions with some of the finest and best young artists in New York City, where he and his wife currently reside.
Mr. Wallace, an urban soul vocalist and keyboard artist, will perform music from his classical repertoire on November 10th. He will sing selections from the world's greatest operas composed by Puccini, Verdi, Faure, Massenet, Schumann, Strauss, Handel and Hall Johnson and H.T. Burleigh. Well-known for his outstanding tenor voice, Mr. Wallace will perform several of his own classical compositions written based on the poetry of Paul Lawrence Dunbar.
Dr. Adele Allen, well known to the Virgin Islands community dating back to the late twentieth century, has performed on St. Thomas as pianist and organist for over twenty years. Founder of the Crucian Community Choir, she has conducted and trained singers throughout St. Croix and St. Thomas, and conducted Handel's Messiah (Parts 1, 2 and 3) on numerous occasions in St. Thomas and St. Croix. She is a former music educator with the V.I. Board of Education in St. Croix at John H. Woodson J.H.S. She has frequently accompanied the Caribbean Chorale, Polymnia, Quattour Novi, as well as the choirs of Sts. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Cathedral and Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church while residing in the USVI. Her most recent concert in St. Thomas was recorded live on Jubal Records [ Royal Blue Studios of New York City ] on January 17, 2010 at Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral. Her newest CD entitled, "LIVE from St. Thomas, USVI: A Musical Tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr." is available from her website, www.adelesworldofmusic.webs.com . 100% of the proceeds from sales of this CD will be donated to the medical work of Dr. Alfred O. Heath in Haiti. Dr. Allen is a graduate of Wellesley College, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons' Institute of Human Nutrition, and the American University of the Caribbean (St. Maarten).
Tickets for the concert are available from Ms. Lynn Berry, Executive Director of Arts Alive @ Tillett Gardens, 340-776-8566
On Wednesday, November 10, 2010 @ 8 p.m., Steve Wallace, Tenor, from New York City will perform with Dr. Adele Allen, Pianist, in the opening concert of the 2010-2011 Arts Alive Concert Series at Tillett Gardens in St. Thomas, USVI. These two performers will present operatic arias, German lieder, art songs and spirituals in the outdoor theatre. In addition, Dr. Allen will perform solo piano selections by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Both artists will present workshops at the St. Thomas public schools on Tuesday, November 9th as part of the Student Outreach Program of the Tillett Foundation. They will continue with the tradition of providing opportunities for the VI youth to learn about classical performing music in a hands-on experience with personal interactions between the students, their teachers and the performers.
Steve Wallace, a graduate of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus, has studied voice, composition, music theory, ear training and music history. A student of Dr. Alfonse Anderson and Maestro Vinko Bailey, Mr. Wallace has performed as the lead soloist in seven operas, toured worldwide, composed his own three-act opera, a piano sonata and ten classical art songs. In addition to his outstanding classical performance skills, he has also recorded his own hip-hop compositions with some of the finest and best young artists in New York City, where he and his wife currently reside.
Mr. Wallace, an urban soul vocalist and keyboard artist, will perform music from his classical repertoire on November 10th. He will sing selections from the world's greatest operas composed by Puccini, Verdi, Faure, Massenet, Schumann, Strauss, Handel and Hall Johnson and H.T. Burleigh. Well-known for his outstanding tenor voice, Mr. Wallace will perform several of his own classical compositions written based on the poetry of Paul Lawrence Dunbar.
Dr. Adele Allen, well known to the Virgin Islands community dating back to the late twentieth century, has performed on St. Thomas as pianist and organist for over twenty years. Founder of the Crucian Community Choir, she has conducted and trained singers throughout St. Croix and St. Thomas, and conducted Handel's Messiah (Parts 1, 2 and 3) on numerous occasions in St. Thomas and St. Croix. She is a former music educator with the V.I. Board of Education in St. Croix at John H. Woodson J.H.S. She has frequently accompanied the Caribbean Chorale, Polymnia, Quattour Novi, as well as the choirs of Sts. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Cathedral and Frederick Evangelical Lutheran Church while residing in the USVI. Her most recent concert in St. Thomas was recorded live on Jubal Records [ Royal Blue Studios of New York City ] on January 17, 2010 at Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral. Her newest CD entitled, "LIVE from St. Thomas, USVI: A Musical Tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr." is available from her website, www.adelesworldofmusic.webs.com . 100% of the proceeds from sales of this CD will be donated to the medical work of Dr. Alfred O. Heath in Haiti. Dr. Allen is a graduate of Wellesley College, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons' Institute of Human Nutrition, and the American University of the Caribbean (St. Maarten).
Tickets for the concert are available from Ms. Lynn Berry, Executive Director of Arts Alive @ Tillett Gardens, 340-776-8566
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
COLUMBIA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
CAA Worldwide Networking Events
The Columbia Alumni Association (CAA) invites all Columbia alumni to participate in the Fourth Annual Worldwide Networking Event.
Connect with alumni and celebrate the global Columbia community at an event near you! Click on a location below to learn more about what’s happening in your area.
If there isn’t an event taking place near you, connect with us virtually! On Thursday, September 23, share where you are and what you’re up to via facebook, twitter, foursquare, Foodspotting, and Linkedin.
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